Homeware brand with items from 50p that Manchester shoppers thought were from John Lewis, Selfridges and M&S

You can end up spending a fortune when buying things for your home, but an experiment proves you don’t need to.

With the launch of its budget Pepco Home ranges in stores, Poundland decided to take them to the streets of Manchester for shoppers to guess where they came from.

TV presenter Anthea Turner spoke to people in St Ann’s Square earlier this month, where a container full of produce was on display for passers-by.

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It includes everything from cushions and photo frames to glasses, plates, candles and plants. Surrounded by mirrors and mugs, plates and cutlery, towels, tea lights and tablecloths, the only thing missing from the display was any sign linking it to Poundland.

When Anthea asked shoppers to guess where the products came from, their suggestions included IKEA, M&S, Habitat, Selfridges and John Lewis.

They were shocked to be told the items were indeed part of the retailer’s new home range, with responses including: “Gosh, that surprises me” and “No way, it’s amazing.”

Store bosses say the ranges, now available in all of Poundland’s more than 800 stores in the UK and Ireland, represent “the biggest transformation in its 30-year history”, with more than 2,000 new home items now available.

Examples include kitchenware starting from £1.25, ‘beautiful’ bathroom decor from 50p and practical and convenient containers from 75p.

Poundland says “if the reaction from the people of Manchester is anything to go by, they will be a big hit with shoppers”.

The company’s commercial director Tim Bettley, who shared the stage with Anthea Turner in Manchester, said: “The introduction of Pepco Home and Clothing into our stores is revolutionary. Not only does it give our stores a new look, but it helps us deliver on our promise of incredible value.”

The introduction of the new home ranges follows last year’s expansion of its Pepco clothing range, with more baby and children’s clothing than ever before.

Over the past five years, Poundland has undertaken “a range revolution” in its stores. Other new categories, alongside clothing and homeware, include chilled and frozen foods, offering customers “an alternative to supermarkets”.