Poundland expands PEP&CO reach amid 50-store expansion

Poundland has unveiled plans to open and relocate at least 50 new stores over the next nine months in a move which will create up to 800 jobs and expand the reach of its value fashion line PEP&CO.

The discount retailer said that around half of the planned store changes would be new openings – in cities including Glasgow and London – while the remainder would be relocations from smaller and outdated sites, or major extensions to existing shops.

Around 750 to 800 jobs will be created on a net basis, according to Poundland, as part of the store overhaul programme. It did not provide details about any potential staff impact from store relocations, although sites are set to be in nearby locations.

Poundland said five stores would open in the next few weeks – The Spires Shopping Centre in Barnet, north London; High Walk in the Wellington Centre, Aldershot, Hampshire; Timberley Lane, Castle Bromwich, in the West Midlands; Crown Street Retail Park in Glasgow, and Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, in London (the latter is a Poundland Local format).

The plans will also see the biggest Poundland opened in Scotland – a “supersized” 18,380 square feet store at Glasgow Crown Street, which is set to launch in March. All stores, except the Poundland Local, will carry PEP&CO.

Poundland managing director Barry Williams said: “We have to step up our search for the best locations to bring the best of Poundland to customers across the UK and that’s precisely what we’ll do in 2023.

“We will continue to work hard to find the right locations that suit the range of Poundland formats we now offer – from small neighbourhood convenience stores to our large destination stores.”

Under the plans, the group said it aims to open eight stores in January to March and a further 26 between April to June, with more set to launch once agreements on lease negotiations are secured.

It adds to the 18 stores the chain opened between October and December, including eight on 10 December.