The BBC understands up to 100 of the brand's 825 UK stores could close as the new owners shake up the business.

Struggling budget chain Poundland has been sold for £1 and now faces a shake-up which could see up to 100 stores close, the BBC understands.

Its owner Polish firm Pepco confirmed it had sold the brand for a “nominal” sum to US investment firm Gordon Brothers.

Poundland has 825 UK stores and around 16,000 staff and was struggling to compete with other discount stores, with sales down this January and February.

Following the sale a proposed restructure will be put to the High Court in England, Pepco said.

It comes after Pepco warned that increased employer National Insurance contributions which kicked in in April would put added pressure on the chain.

Pepco Group has owned Poundland since 2016, but the firm had to auction the brand off after sales slumped over the past year.

Gordon Brothers is a global investment firm which formerly owned fashion label Laura Ashley.

  • azimir@lemmy.mlEnglish
    12·
    2 days ago

    I don’t know much about Poundland, but I know they’re no liars about their advertising. Everything, including the business itself, went for a pound.

    I salute them for their consistency!

    • cynar@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      1 day ago

      They broke from “everything is a pound” years ago. They also still do a really bad job making it clear what is no longer a pound.

  • g0d0fm15ch13f@lemmy.worldEnglish
    22·
    3 days ago

    Am I misunderstanding things or is this a bit? Selling an entire dollar store type for the british version of a dollar is absolutely hilarious if true.

    • cynar@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      1 day ago

      The seller thinks the value is net negative to them. The buyer thinks it still has a potential positive value. Both would agree to just hand it over.

      Unfortunately, UK law does not allow that. Consideration must go both ways. The simplest way is to sell for the minimum reasonable amount. $1 is traditional in the US. In the UK it is £1. The other commenters link has a good writeup on the practice.