Before B&M and Home Bargains, there was A2Z – Hull's own Aladdin's cave.
The popular 90s chain had stores around the city, all proudly displaying the slogan "everyone's a winner". It was launched by Gordon Rogers with just one shop and four staff.
By 1997, he had 12 stores and 120 colleagues. "Someone asked me what we sell that begins with X, Y and Z,'' he once said. "I showed him a toy xylophone, yellow dusters and some zinc and castor oil cream.''
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We asked readers for their memories of A2Z and received hundreds of replies. People recalled everything from the incredibly low prices to the smell that hit them when they walked in.
Victoria said: "The one on Orchard Park used to have a tube full of buttons. I spent hours as a kid, waiting for my grandparents to shop, playing with the buttons."
Steph said: "I can still remember what the one on Newland Ave smelled like! Sort of like fence paint but also like washing powder. My mam would take me every week when I was about four."
Sally described the smell as "wash powder and toilet cleaner as you walked in", adding: "Good memories .... loved A2Z."
Lee recalled people queueing out of the door to get into the "very popular" branch in Pocklington on a Saturday. Others who worked at A2Z had fond memories too, with several mentioning how "down to earth" and "lovely" the owners were.
Sue said: "Loved working at A2Z, it had a shop at the top of Princess Quay, the fire alarm was always going off. So many good bargains and the owners were so down to earth."
Helen added: "I was the Saturday girl at A2Z in Cottingham. I loved it." Lorraine added: "I worked at the Pocklington shop for eleven and a half years. Brilliant bosses."
Sam said: "I started at the A2Z on Newland Ave as a Saturday girl when it first opened, even worked on the market stall outside in freezing cold temperatures after the shop burned down! Went on to work in the head office as buyer/general manager for years! My first employment, loved it here."
Joanne replied: "we had some laughs back then didn’t we-do you remember the guy who used to come in and buy women’s underwear?!"
Some readers recalled enjoying prices that seem a world away from today. Louisa said: "I'm still finding things with A2Z price labels on when I go through the shed. Packs of screws 16p!"
Carl joked about the name: "I remember A2Z, was an ace shop. Never did find a zebra for sale in there though."
Chris replied: "Guess you got an Aardvark then?" Carl said: "No, but they did do zips."
