Our History

A simple concept

Poundland’s retailing concept is extremely simple: a range of more than 3,000 items – representing AMAZING VALUE for money.

Our pilot store opened in the Octagon Centre, Burton-upon-Trent in December of 1990, followed by new stores in High Street, Meadowhall and other quality trading locations.  Shoppers loved the concept, and so did fellow retailers and landlords.  The stores proved to be a huge success. Meadowhall’s success was repeated by further stores opening by the end of the year.

Milestones

1990
Poundland opened its first store in Burton Upon Trent

1995
Poundland head office and DC opened in The Meadows, Cannock Road, Wolverhampton

1996
Our Hong Kong office opens to provide direct support with sourcing

2000
New Willenhall Customer Support Centre (CSC) and warehouse opened to cope with growing store numbers

2002
Poundland is sold to Advent International; Colin Smith (ex Safeway CEO) joins as Chairman

2003
Our 100th store opens in Shirley, West Midlands

2005
Springvale, our 300,000 sq.ft second distribution centre, is opened to cope with future growth

2006
Jim McCarthy joins Poundland as CEO

2008
Our 200th store is opened in Doncaster, South Yorkshire

2008    
Poundland launches charity partnership with Macmillan

2009
Poundland launched in Northern Ireland.

2010
Warburg Pincus acquires the majority shareholding. The 300^th store in Cirencester opened

2011
The first Dealz stores opens in the Republic of Ireland (Blanchardstown & Portlaiose) and Poundland wins Discount Retailer of The Year at the Retail Industry Awards

2012
Poundland opens temporary 200,000 sq ft distribution centre at Hoddesdon whilst permanent 350,000 sq ft distribution centre is built; and our 400th store, in Haringey opened

2012
Poundland chooses Cancer Research Wales as beneficiary from sales of its plastic carrier bags

2013
The 25th Dealz store opens in Ireland and Poundland wins Discounter of The Year at The Grocer Gold Awards

2013
First Celebrity partnership announcement – Jane Asher Bakeware range (Jane Asher’s Kitchen)

2013
The 500^th store was in Corporation Street, Birmingham by Jane Asher, celebrity baker and author

2014
In March, Poundland floats on the London Stock Exchange

2014
MP Esther McVey opens new 350,000 sq ft flagship Distribution Centre in Harlow

2014
Poundland announces new and exclusive jewellery range and make up range – Purple Ivy and Make Up Gallery

2014
“Discount Retailer of the Year 2014” at The Grocer Gold Awards for a second year running.

2015
Second Celebrity Partnership announced – Tommy Walsh for DIY Range (DIY:time)

2015
Exceeds £1 billion turnover for the first time

2015
Poundland wins “Discount Retailer of the Year 2015” at the Retail Industry Awards.

2016
Third Celebrity Partnership announced – Charlie Dimmock for Gardening Range