Poundland Local – No plans for NI yet

Poundland Local – No plans for NI yet

Poundland is piloting its Poundland Local format – with two stores under 3,000sq ft opened in Yourkshire last week. The 2,500sq ft Poundland Local at Kendray opened on 21 May and the 2,800sq ft Poundland Local at Hornsea  on 22 May.

The retailer said: “The stores offer a range of products to meet the needs of customers, whether they are doing a planned top-up shop or making an urgent last-minute buy, with a big focus on food – from fresh ingredients to food-to-go.”

All of the items are from Poundland’s core ranges, including everyday groceries, snacks, household products, health and beauty, batteries, toys, stationery and homeware.

There will be additional ranges customers expect in a convenience store, including:  fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen food, extended range of bread and morning goods, beer, wines and spirits, fresh Lavazza coffee, hot pies and pasties and fresh cakes supplied by Poundbakery, extended range of vaping products from 88 Vape, nappies and formula milk, and Camelot lottery tickets and scratch cards (Kendray only).

The retailer says prices will be “identical” to larger Poundland stores.

If successful, the smaller format could give Poundland the potential to accelerate its growth and reach new areas that would not support a larger store.

Poundland’s transformation and retail director, Austin Cooke, said: “The launch of Poundland Local is a really exciting development and we hope customers are as excited as we are.

“While our Local format will have the ranges customers would expect in a neighbourhood store, they won’t have to pay more for that doorstep convenience.”

There are currently around 20 Poundland stores in Northern Ireland, with potential for the new local format to make its way here if the pilot proves successful – however a spokesman said ‘there are no current plans beyond the first two pilot stores at the moment.’