Poundland to make major change in all stores as 11 to close 'in days' - full list

Poundland is reverting to its original pound-price concept in an effort to regain customer loyalty. After experimenting with different pricing structures in recent years, the retailer is returning to its initial idea of selling products at a pound.

Each item will now be priced at either £1, £2 or £3 - with 65 per cent of products priced at one pound. Upon entering a store, customers will find products organised into sections based on price.

This means there will be separate areas for each of the price points. The variety of products that the shop offers is also being reduced by half.

The store is also discontinuing most discount sales, with the only remaining deal being two £2 items for £3. Barry Williams, managing director, told The Grocer: "Customers have told us loud and clear during these trials that they will back a simpler, more focused Poundland that keeps its promise of amazing value."

We've heard them, and the clear success of our pilot is why I'm confident that a Poundland that's focused on the simple value our customers expect, can have a bright future.

"Poundland has faced challenges in recent years, with customers complaining that it is "not actually that cheap anymore". They have also said the brand has lost its appeal by varying its prices.

One former Poundland director told The Guardian that the brand had "lost its way". He claimed it has become "far too complicated and confusing for customers" with such a range of different price points.

He said its decision in 2019 to drop the focus on £1 items also meant business operations, including Managing stores and handling suppliers had become more expensive and complicated.

Poundland was placed on the market by its parent company, Pepco, following the budget in April and acquired by the Gordon Brothers - who are implementing a substantial restructuring.

The company stated that the rise in national insurance and business rates would "add further pressure to Poundland's cost base".Williams mentioned that staff are "loving it" because "replenishing from the warehouse to the shop floor is really simple".

Part of the transformation within the business has included shutting down multiple stores. Twelve were closed across the country on Tuesday as the company continued with efforts to rescue the chain.

The departing stores launched clearance sales with prices reduced by up to 75 per cent.

In total, Poundland confirmed it would be shutting 48 locations this month. The final 11 to close will be on August 31.

• Blackburn
• Cookstown
• Erdington
• Kimberley Kimberley Shopping Centre, Nottingham
• Horsham
• Hull Holderness
• Kettering
• Omagh
• Shepherds Bush
• Southport
• Taunton

Poundland currently runs 800 stores nationwide, but aims to substantially cut this figure to between 650 and 700.

This encompasses the 68 stores closing by mid-October, as well as extra stores shutting when leases expire and are not renewed.