Pop-up pound: Bargain design store opens in London

London – For those who can’t afford unique pieces of design, the temporary Poundshop opening this weekend in London’s East End might have the answer. The pop-up bargain store in Shoreditch, which takes its cues from the discount pound shops that have grown popular during the recession, has invited designers to submit products that will sell for no more than £1.

Poundshop has been organised by design collective Household and freelance illustrator Sara Melin, with the support of Shoreditch Trust. Products on sale will include sets of blue cutlery by the Used Development Organisation, ‘pearl’ rings with a tooth motif by product designer Naoki Kawamoto and stylish posters by graphic designer Claire McManus that remind you to water your plants.

Visitors to the shop are also invited to come up with their own ideas for services for the busker’s corner inside the shop. These could be a reading, a one-minute head massage or a music performance, again all costing just £1.

To read more about the ways in which retailers are updating the pop-up concept, see our Beyond Retail trend report.