AS lockdown restrictions are eased, Poundland is ready to roll out the red carpet by bringing 55 of its stores in England in Wales out of hibernation on April 12 .
The popular discount retailer is also ready to help recovery from the pandemic by opening 25 to 30 Poundland and Dealz stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland over the 12 months to September 30, 2021.
As an essential retailer, the majority of Poundland stores have remained open throughout lockdown.
It is now looking forward to neighbours reopening their doors as non-essential retailers reopen and town centres return to being vibrant places to shop and spend time.
Poundland brought 29 stores out of hibernation in February and will now re-open 43 on April 12 in England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
Six further stores in Scotland are set to follow later in the month as restrictions are lifted there. Twelve PEP&CO standalone fashion stores in England and Wales will also re-open next Monday.
Millions of people changed their shopping habits during various lockdowns and those who have not visited their local Poundland over the past year may not be aware of significant changes that have been taken place while they have been away.
These include:
• PEP&CO fashion for the whole family can now be found in 350 Poundland and Dealz stores.
• Every one of Poundland’s 800-plus stores has new Homewares ranges under the PEP&CO brand.
• Over 130 stores now have chilled and frozen food with the ranges set to be added to new locations over the coming months.
• Launching in every store is an extended grocery range with more day-to-day brands such as Nutella, Marmite and Old El Paso.
Poundland also confirmed today it is pressing ahead with the £25 million transformation programme launched last July, including new store openings and relocations, store revamps and investment in its chilled and frozen food distribution network following the 2020 acquisition of Fultons Foods.
To date, Poundland has created more than 400 new jobs in the current financial year and expects to create at least 250 more by the end of September 2021.
Barry Williams, Poundland managing director, said: “It is fantastic news that our high street neighbours are preparing to get back to business – not just other retailers but the cafés, gyms and hairdressers who make our town centres the vibrant places people love. We’ve missed you and are pleased you’re coming back.
“We know too that many will be making their first tentative steps back into their town centres after being away for some time – we can’t wait to welcome them and say hello. Come see how we’ve changed.
“We’re cracking on with our transformation programme and our investment in new stores, refurbishments, new ranges and distribution. With the challenges faced by high streets, that’s good news for our customers, our colleagues and our communities.”
