Poundland has launched its first Poundland Local convenience store format as it ramps up plans to expand into smaller towns and neighbourhoods across the UK. 

The retailer has opened two of the shops, in Kendray and Hornsea, both in Yorkshire, which will carry a limited range without the convenience price premium.

The Poundland Local proposition will include items from core ranges that can be found in larger stores, such as groceries and snacks, health and beauty, toys, stationery and homeware. Prices will remain unchanged from other Poundland stores.

The new convenience stores will introduce a host of new ranges, including fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen food and an extended range of bread and morning goods. Visitors to the Local stores will also be able to purchase freshly-ground Lavazza coffee and hot pies, pasties and fresh cakes supplied by Poundbakery.

A move towards ‘doorstep convenience’

Poundland Local stores will also sell beer, wine and spirits, as well as a range of vaping products.

The retailer is opening the new format stores inside units previously occupied by Fulton Foods, the grocery retailer that Poundland acquired in 2020. It said the new format provided it with “the potential to accelerate its growth and reach new areas that would not support a larger store”. 

Poundland transformation and retail director Austin Cooke said: “The launch of Poundland Local is a really exciting development and we hope customers are as excited as we are. 

“While our Local format will have the ranges customers would expect in a neighbourhood store, they won’t have to pay more for that doorstep convenience.”