Poundland has launched a new merchandising trial across 15 stores as it looks to boost sales of general merchandise and clothing, following a return to like-for-like sales growth.
The discount retailer began rolling out the pilot in mid-September, with the new layouts now being tested in selected stores across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The trial aims to make shopping easier by organising products around customers’ needs and occasions, rather than traditional retail departments.
It also gives Poundland an opportunity to showcase more of its refreshed general merchandise range, while testing demand for a smaller selection of Pep&Co clothing in stores where space has previously been limited.
The initiative follows a year of significant changes at the retailer, including a revamped general merchandise offering, a return to simpler pricing across grocery products and the reintroduction of the Pep&Co brand across its clothing departments.
Poundland said the changes are beginning to deliver results, with the business returning to positive like-for-like sales growth in the fourth quarter of its 2026 financial year.
For the quarter ending 27 September, like-for-like sales increased by 3.3 per cent on an unadjusted basis, rising to 6.4 per cent when adjusted.
The retailer now expects profitability to reach the upper end of its previous forecasts, with sales momentum continuing into the first week of its new financial year.
Barry Williams, Managing Director of Poundland, said: “We ended Q4 with significant momentum, returning to positive like-for-like growth and that momentum has only strengthened in the first week of the new financial year.
“Our recovery plan is working, thanks to our investment in simple low pricing and new ranges, powered by our new in-house teams.”
He added that the positive customer response was encouraging for the retailer’s shareholders, employees and suppliers.
“And while our new merchandising pilot is a demonstration that it’s ‘business as usual’ at Poundland, what’s unusual is our new trial also highlights the top-to-bottom refresh of all our ranges over the last 12 months.
“We’re excited about putting those new items in front of our customers as they return to our stores.”
The latest trial represents another step in Poundland’s efforts to rebuild its retail offering, with general merchandise remaining an important part of its strategy to attract shoppers back into stores.
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