Poundland opens first c-store in London

Poundland on July 2 opened its first convenience store next to a busy transport hub, in London’s Clapham Junction.

According to recent reports, ‘Poundland Local’ stores have a range catering for the convenience shopper, including food to go.

The Clapham Junction shop has 2,200 sq ft of sales area, less than half the size of a typical core Poundland store. The store has more self-checkouts and a range tailored for rail commuters and tourists as well as local residents, including meal deals.

The Poundland Local range also includes fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen food, bread and morning goods, hot pies and pastries, nappies and formula milk, beers, wines and spirits.

The first four Poundland Local convenience stores opened in Yorkshire and Nottingham in May last year.

It was reported last month that Poundland is set to expand the pilot scheme to tap into the convenience channel. The London store is expected to be followed this summer by the first Poundland Local store in the West Midlands, in Sutton Coldfield.

“Each of the new stores will have a range of items tailored to suit the needs of customers in each neighbourhood, whether they live or work locally,” reports quoted Poundland transformation and retail director Austin Cooke as saying.

“In the current economic climate, people are carefully watching how much they spend, and we want them to know that convenience shopping does not have to mean they compromise on value for money.”

The Poundland Local format was unveiled in May 2021, with four convenience stores in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. Poundland stated at the time that it was actively looking for other suitable locations, particularly inside the M25.