Poundland has announced that its restructuring programme which saw almost 150 stores close and helped it avoid plunging into administration is complete, but it says there’s still “much to do”. The major shake up was set in motion in June after the struggling high street band was bought by American investment firm Gordon Brothers from previous owners Pepco following a slump in sales.

In a bid to revive the chain’s fortunes, Poundland secured High Court approval last August for the plan which involved cutting its estate down from 800 to 651 stores, and reducing its work force from 14,200 to around 12,000 at the end of 2025, representing approximately 2,200 job losses. In a statement, Poundland has now said the wave of closures has come to an end. The company said: “Any future closures will be a consequence of standard business-as-usual lease events expected at a retailer with a large store network.”

However, Poundland emphasised that the work to turnaround their finances isn’t over. Christmas trading figures showed like-for-like underlying sales dropping 2.9% in the quarter to December 28 after the chain dropped prices.

However, comparable store sales by volume saw a 2% increase. Poundland managing director Barry Williams said: “While there’s been significant progress as we refocus and re-energise the business with lower prices and a sharper offer, we know we still have much to do.

He added that the chain’s focus on their costs has, “without doubt, given us a platform for future growth, but no sustainable turnaround can be based on cost management alone”.

“That’s why our focus in 2026 will be on delivering the kind of ranges and price simplicity our customers want right across the store – in clothing, homewares as well as our core grocery aisles,” he added.

Mr Williams said their customers had told them “loud and clear they want a simpler, more focused Poundland that keeps its promise of amazing value”.

“We have clear indications from the work we’ve already done that we’re on the right track.”

In a statement last year prior to the formal approval of the closures, Mr Williams said: “It’s sincerely regrettable that this plan includes the closure of stores and distribution centres, but it’s necessary if we’re to achieve our goal of securing the future of thousands of jobs and hundreds of stores.

“It goes without saying that if our plans are approved, we will do all we can to support colleagues who will be directly affected by the changes.”

The new year is just two months away and with brands restructuring across the country, shops are not only closing but opening too, with several expected to hit Britain’s high streets over the coming weeks.

A variety of supermarket giants, clothing retailers and even gyms are set to launch new stores in the next two months. JD Gym is among those expanding with the launch of its 100th branch penned in for November. 

Lidl has made headlines for its dramatic restructuring plan including the opening of new locations. Lidl’s expansion will include “approximately 100 additional stores” across Britain, making that 159 grocceries alone. However, retailers are not to be left behind in the nation’s sprint ahead of the economy, with Drapers Online sharing the good news of fashion brands expanding amid the “doom and gloom”.

Poundland closed 52 stores as part of a 68 store closure plan unveiled by the recent acquisition by Pepco Group investment firm Gordon Brothers, in June. However, bargain hunters should not despair as the high street favourite is opening 37 new stores across the nation, with its infamous £1 deals set to return. Britbrief writes that several of these will appear in London’s “high-footfall areas”, as well as Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Cardiff. 

Similarly, Asda has confirmed its expansion, with 22 stores to open before December 31. Restarting its Express store programme, the UK giant opened the first of its stores in Castleford this October, with a plan of 21 further openings to be carried out by the chain. Now published, Yahoo News reports the openings to be in the following locations:

• Bradford – Toller Lane
• Botley – Boorley Green
• Cadishead – Liverpool Road
• Castleford – Holywell Lane
• Crystal Palace – Anerley Road
• Deepcut – Bridge Road
• Deptford – Landings
• Ferndown – Wimborne Road
• Greenwich – South Street
• Harringay – Green Lanes
• Harrow – Headstone Drive
• Heath Hayes – Hednesford Road
• Horncastle
• Liverpool – Parliament Street
• London – Finsbury Park Station; Limehouse Station; Tottenham Hale West; Tower Bridge
• Manchester – Square Gardens
• Stoke – Station Road
• Whetstone – High Road
• Wigan – Mesnes Road

The site states US brand Anthropologie to open three new UK stores this November, with another three openings for AllSaints to join them on the high street. Women’s Quiz Clothing has revealed plans to open between five and 10 new UK stores, however there is no hint as of yet to whether this will begin before January. Additionally, sought-after athleisure brand Alo is to expand its portfolio between late 2025 and 2026, with its first new location set to be outside of London.

According to The Independent, JD Gym, a subsect of the global chain JD Sports Fashion, has confirmed it is opening a new gym in Enfield, North London. The November launch will celebrate the firm’s 167th branch.