Poundland is making ‘biggest change in 30 years’ at all 850 stores to rival B&M – shoppers will be delighted

DISCOUNTER giant Poundland is making a major change across its more than 850 stores and online in a boost for shoppers.

The retailer is implementing the "biggest change in 30 years" to its merchandise offering by rolling out thousands of new products.

Shoppers will be able to pick up the new items across the chain's more than 850 UK and Ireland branches and online.

The full range of new products will be introduced in a phased approach, with 1,000 available from today in stores.

The remaining 1,000 will make their way on to shelves in the coming weeks, Poundland said.

Meanwhile, 170 items are available on Poundland's website from today, rising to 450 in the next few weeks.

Shoppers will eventually be able to pick up everything from homeware, to bathroom décor lines and plants from just 50p.

Some of the new products on offer include blankets from £10, bird decorations from £1.40 and a tea and coffee maker for £6.

Customers can also snap up a ceramic plant pot for £5 and corduroy jewellery box for £6.

The latest change means shoppers will have access to a vaster array of products across different categories than before.

It comes after Pepco, which acquired Poundland in 2017, revamped its clothing sections across Poundland stores last year.

Over 550 stores with clothing ranges were reconfigured and double the amount of space dedicated to baby and kidswear.

Tim Bettley, Poundland's commercial director, said both changes to homeware and clothing sections "not only give our stores a fresh look, but deliver the amazing value that's at the heart of our customer promise".

"A change on this scale is transformational for Poundland and we’re excited to see the customer reaction to these ranges," he added.

Meanwhile, Poundland is growing its portfolio of stores after opening over 85 in just 70 days before Christmas.

It included 10 branches which welcomed in customers for the first time over two days in December, in what was dubbed "Super Saturday".

The retailer has opened stores across the UK, including in Falkirk, Scotland, Birmingham and Plymouth.

Some of the new sites have been taken on from former rival Wilko, which collapsed into administration in August last year.

In November, Poundland said it expected to have opened stores in 64 former Wilko sites before Christmas.

It came after Wilko's last remaining stores shut for good in early October.

The openings come as B&M makes similar moves, earlier in January announcing plans to open 17 new locations by the end of next month.

Branches have already opened in Stourbridge, Wigston and Loughborough, with more set to pull up their shutters in London, Castle Douglas and Beaumont Lays.

WHSmith last week announced it will open 15 new stores in airports, railway stations and hospitals too.

But it's not been all good news for Poundland, which has been closing stores across the UK as well.

The retailer pulled down the shutters on its branch at the Chineham Shopping Centre near Basingstoke on December 31.

A spokesperson said it was closing the site as it was unable to renew the lease.

Meanwhile, Poundland shut its store in Colwyn Bay, Wales on January 5, with locals left devastated.

Poundland opened its first store in Burton-upon-Trent in 1990, and today has more than 850 stores open across the UK and Ireland.

The retailer employs 18,000 staff, serving seven million customers a week.

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