HOMESENSE shoppers looking to pick up the best deals and products should take note of what to go for and what to avoid.
The retailer is part of the TK Maxx family and sells all sorts of homeware items from candles to furniture.
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It has 77 stores across the UK and also stocks food and themed products around Halloween, Easter and Christmas.
If you’re a fan of Homesense but aren’t sure what to go for, shopping expert and founder of review website MyProsAndCons.com Andhi Ermawan, has shared his tips and tricks.
Andhi told The Sun: “Just remember that Homesense is a bit like a labyrinth – filled with exciting surprises and a few dead-ends.
“It’s part of the TK Maxx family, so if you’ve shopped there, you’ll have a feel for the layout and ethos.
“The stock you see is the stock they have, and their buyers are constantly on the hunt for new and exciting items.
“In fact, a few more visits and you’ll likely be at Homesense finding your way around the latest stock with ease, armed with your Treasure card and the knowledge of when the next delivery is due.”
What to buy at Homesense
Stationery
First and foremost, Homesense is a great option for picking up stationery, according to Andhi.
He said: “Homesense has an extensive collection of quirky and unusual stationery items.
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“On one of my visits, I found a beautiful, handcrafted leather-bound journal tucked among the typical office supplies.
“It has since become my favorite tool for jotting down new product ideas for my website.”
At the time of writing, Homesense was selling a self care journal for £4.99 online.
In comparison, Papier was selling one for £29.
Art supplies
Another thing to go for, according to the shopping expert, is art-related items.
Andhi explained: “I am not an artist, but a close friend of mine, an amateur painter, always praises Homesense for its affordable canvases.
“She was particularly thrilled to find large, quality canvases at a fraction of what she’d pay at an art supply store.”
When we checked we couldn’t find any canvases online at Homesense, though it’s worth checking at your local store.
Front-of-store items
While front-of-store items can vary depending on what Homesense is pushing to shoppers or what the season might be, Andhi encouraged shoppers to always have a look.
He said: “The store’s front area is a treasure trove of delightful impulse buys.
“I remember a time I went shopping for a kitchen gadget and ended up buying a beautifully ornate clock.
“It was an unplanned purchase but ended up being the perfect addition to my living room.”
Front-of-store items can vary – if it’s around Christmas time then it’ll most likely be decorations or present ideas.
Sometimes these might be on offer so it’s always worth having a mooch.
What to avoid buying at Homesense
Perishable groceries
There are also items you might want to avoid at Homesense and Andhi claimed that food is one of them.
He said: “While Homesense does offer gourmet food and drink products, I advise caution with perishable groceries.
“Not every store is meticulous about checking expiry dates.
“I once bought a fancy jar of olives only to find that it was past its prime when I got home.”
Make sure you’re checking items first – as you would at supermarkets and any other retailer anyway – just in case.
Frames
Andhi said that if shoppers are after photo frames, they may want to pick them up elsewhere.
While Homesense sells frames at a low price, sometimes it’s worth paying a bit more.
He explained: “The value of a good frame cannot be understated, but my experiences suggest a level of caution when purchasing frames from Homesense.
“They can be fragile and prone to breaking.
“When I bought a set of picture frames, one broke in transit, which caused a ripple effect and damaged the rest.”
Rugs
Finally, the shopping expert told shoppers to avoid buying rugs from Homesense.
He said: “The last time I bought a rug from Homesense, I made the mistake of not checking for any unpleasant odours.
“While the rug was stunning, it had a musty smell that lingered long after I’d taken it home.
“If you plan on buying a rug, give it a good sniff first to avoid a similar situation.”
It’s important to remember that every customer’s experience is different and one bad product doesn’t mean they’re all the same.
Make sure you’re shopping around for the best deals, using comparison sites like Trolley or ComparetheMarket.
Homesense declined to comment.
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