Poundland is gearing up for the opening of its largest ever store on Saturday morning.
Retail Gazette visited the megastore in Nottingham’s Riverside Retail Park ahead of the grand opening to get a sneak peak of what’s on offer.
From the largest selection of Pep&Co clothing and homeware to a dedicated Rimmel cosmetics display and hot food and drinks, Poundland aims to offer its widest range of products yet.
The 15,000 sq ft store is housed in a former Outfit, the Arcadia-owned brand that fell into administration in 2020, and has created 75 new jobs in the local area – making it Poundland’s biggest team to date.
The vacant store has taken a total of six months to prepare for opening day.
In a Retail Gazette exclusive, Poundland managing director Barry Williams said the retailer is planning on opening more large format stores across the UK
“You will see more of these bigger stores,” he said. “Not a lot of retailers are doing what we’re doing – expanding. We’ve been agile.”
Williams insisted that physical stores are “just as important” as online trading, and Poundland’s larger store expansion plans have only just begun.
Meanwhile, Poundland trading director Tim Bettley told Retail Gazette that a big store such as the Nottingham one provides a better service for customers and the opportunity to showcase more ranges.
More than a third of the space has been dedicated to Pep&Co, which is now one of the top 20 clothing retailers in the UK.
The store features changing rooms and mannequins, making it the first Poundland store to do so.
As well as womenswear, menswear and kidswear, Pep&Co also has a home department in store that will include kitchen storage, faux plants, bathroom accessories and soft furnishings.
Pep&Co launched in August 2020. Home has been one of Poundland’s most popular categories, and that demand has risen following the pandemic.
Nottingham Riverside will join the growing number of Poundland stores – set to pass 350 this year – to offer chilled and frozen food. It will also have a fresh produce section and a selection of beers, wines and spirits.
It also stocks Poundland’s Viido technology range, which launched in November 2021. The launch is part of the retailer’s strategy to move into new categories.
The Nottingham store also features partnerships with Haribo, Crayola, Ty, Disney, and Warner Brothers in store.
“People usually walk into Poundland stores wanting one or two items, and we expect them to walk out with more due to the amount of ranges we offer,” Bettley said.
However, he explained that the Nottingham store is easier to navigate than in existing shops.
Poundland’s Nottingham store will be formally opened in Riverside Retail Park on Saturday morning at 9.00am.
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