The inside view from HR manager Ram Dutt

What makes your ideal employee?

Someone with a great level of dedication, and who believes in a job well done and in putting your best foot forward.

What sets apart working at 99p Stores from your competitors?

We encourage our senior management to make decisions and take responsibility for those actions. This is different from our main competitors who make decision by committee.

How do you strive to retain your staff?

We give incentives to keep the best employees. We also provide a career ladder for those that prove themselves. Almost all our store managers and area managers have risen through the ranks.

How do you ensure your employees have a good work/life balance?

We aim to make sure employees look forward to going to work. We have a strong respect for a good work/life balance and are ready to compromise to ensure this happens.

Founded January 2001

Based Daventry, Northamptonshire

Number of staff 3,000

Number of stores 130

Number of days’ leave 28 days

Employee benefits Stakeholder pension and performance-related bonus scheme

Work ethos A very fast paced working environment, operating in the discount sector but always aiming to give a first class service to customers and offering great value for money products