
- Select a language for the TTS:
- UK English Female
- UK English Male
- US English Female
- US English Male
- Australian Female
- Australian Male
- Language selected: (auto detect) - EN
Play all audios:
POUNDLAND OWNER PEPCO HAS SAID IT EXPECTS TO SELL THE DISCOUNT CHAIN BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER AFTER REPORTING A "WEAKER OUTLOOK" FOR THE BRAND AFTER A TOUGH FIRST HALF HENRY
SAKER-CLARK PA DEPUTY BUSINESS EDITOR and LIAM RYDER Digital Production Editor 12:29, 22 May 2025 The closure of hundreds of Poundland stores has moved a step closer after the chain's
parent company announced its intention to sell within months. Pepco Group revealed its plan to offload the UK discount retailer by the end of September. Having owned the brand since 2016,
Pepco is currently exploring options for the "separation" of the retail chain, which boasts 818 stores. Among the potential buyers, Gordon Brothers, the current owner of Laura
Ashley, is reportedly a front-runner. The Telegraph reported last week that a rescue sale could result in the closure of up to 200 Poundland stores. On Thursday (May 22), Pepco revealed
plans to divest the brand as part of a broader shift away from food and drink products. A deal to sell the chain is anticipated before the close of its financial year in September. This
announcement follows a period of disappointing sales for Poundland over the past six months, leading Pepco to revise down the brand's trading forecast for the year. Pepco's chief
executive, Stephan Borchert, said: "At Poundland, trading remains challenging, which is reflected in a profit outturn below expectations for H1 and a weaker outlook for the full year.
"Barry Williams, who was reappointed as Poundland managing director in March 2025, and his team are actively driving a recovery plan to help turn around the business by refocusing on
its traditional core strengths." Poundland has reported a 6.5% fall in revenues to €985million (£830million) for the six months leading up to March, compared with the same period last
year. Article continues below The high street retailer faced "challenges across all categories" and saw a net closure of 18 stores during this time. Now, Poundland is expected to
post earnings between €0 and €20million (£16.9million), a significant drop from the previously forecasted range of €50million to €70million. Meanwhile, the broader Pepco Group, based in
Poland, witnessed a 4.3% increase in total revenues, reaching €3.34billion (£2.82 billion) for the half-year. However, despite growth in its Pepco brand, like-for-like sales were slightly
down due to the underperforming Poundland operation. FULL LIST OF CONFIRMED RECENT POUNDLAND CLOSURES The news could mean the eventual loss of thousands of jobs. Poundland employs roughly
18,000 people across its 800-plus stores. While the exact stores earmarked for closure have yet to be confirmed, a number of locations have already been announced to be shut this year. It
follows the end of a handful of other Poundland branches that were closed down in 2024. The next Poundland store to close is in Brackla, Wales, on Saturday, May 24. After that, the Chiswick
High Road store in London will shut on May 28. Article continues belowREAD MORE: Barclays, Halifax, Lloyds, NatWest, RBS customers to get 'super ATMs' in major changeREAD MORE:
Greggs on a roll as it sees sales boost thanks to two items that have gone big Speaking about the Chiswick closure, a Poundland spokesperson said: "We operate from over 800 locations
across the UK and Ireland and with so many locations, we constantly review our store portfolio as leases expire or come up for renewal. We'd like to thank customers in Chiswick and look
forward to welcoming them to our nearest store in Acton." The following stores either closed recently or are due to close in the coming weeks: * Chiswick High Road, London – closing
May 28. * St George's Centre, Gravesend, Kent – closed May 8. * Clapham Junction Station, London – closed May 2. * Belle Vale Shopping Centre, Liverpool – closed May 6. * Brackla, Wales
– closing May 24. * Connswater Shopping Centre, Belfast – closed March 21. * Maidenhead, Kent – closed October 2024. * Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands – closed October 2024. * Macclesfield,
Cheshire – closed August 2024