BHS owner Sir Philip Green has said that the chain will be approximately 10% cheaper than the big four supermarkets when it starts selling food.

BHS Food will be trialed in two stores in Staines and Warrington before pressing ahead with a roll-out of a planned 140 outlets which may trigger a price war with the big four supermarkets.

Sir Philip told the Sunday Times: “There’s no point in opening up and getting torn apart because we haven’t got competitive prices.

“We know what we’re going into – the most competitive food landscape for some time. On the basis that everyone is going into the high street and convenience, maybe it’s an opportunity. If you don’t buy a ticket, you can’t win the lottery.”