Single-price retailer 99p Stores is to open its first outlet in Scotland over the next few weeks.
In just 12 years the company has grown from one store to over 220, and it says it now plans to increase its presence north of the border to 30 over the next three years. It sells products across a wide variety of categories including DIY, garden and pets, along with food, health and beauty, toys, homewares, entertainment, stationery and sports and camping goods.

The new branch, at the Ayr Central Shopping Centre in the West Scottish town, has 7,200 sq ft of sales area and is currently undergoing a £250,000 re-fit.

"It's a town very much on the up and we're delighted to be opening our very first - of many - planned Scottish stores in Ayr," commented co-founder and co-owner Hussein Lalani.

"Scottish shoppers are value-savvy - we are extremely excited about this next challenge," he added.

Discussions are under way on four further shops in Scotland, to open over the next six months, with an additional 25 over the next three years. In total, the openings are expected to create more than 500 new jobs.