Poundland

Poundland Limited
Private limited company
Industry Retail
Founded April 1990
Founder Dave Dodd and Steven Smith
Headquarters Willenhall, West Midlands,
United Kingdom
Number of locations
 896 (2016)[1]
Key people
 Andy Bond (CEO)
Products Groceries, consumer goods, DIY, electrical
Revenue £1.31 billion (2016)[2]
£56.9 million (2016)[2]
Profit £-12.0 million (2016)[2]
Owner Steinhoff International
Number of employees
 18,000 (2016)[1]
Subsidiaries Dealz
Website www.poundland.co.uk

Poundland is a British variety store chain founded in 1990 that sells most items in its stores for £1, stocking over 3,000 products and employing 18,000 staff. Like many of its rivals, Poundland operates a constantly rotating product line, including clearance items as well as many proprietary brands. The first pilot store opened in December 1990 following numerous rejections by landlords who had reservations about allowing a single-price store to operate, fearing it could adversely affect the local competition. An estimated 7 million customers shopped in Poundland every week in 2016, many being female shoppers in the C1, C2, D and E categories (the working classes in a system of demographic classification used in the United Kingdom).

The retailer expanded into Europe during the latter half of 2011, first opening a store in the Republic of Ireland and now operating a subsidiary chain of discount stores in mainland Europe under the name Dealz. Poundland acquired closest rival 99p Stores in 2015, leaving Poundworld as their closest competitor, yet in 2016 the company was described as "struggling" after its acquisition of 99p Stores following a drop in share price of over 50%, before being acquired in August 2016 by Steinhoff International for £610m.

History

Poundland, Kings Mall, Hammersmith, London

1990–99: Formation and early history

Claiming to have introduced the concept of single-price retailing, Dave Dodd and Steven Smith founded the retail chain in April 1990[3] with a starting capital of just £50,000 and a turnover of £13,000 from 624 products[4] on their first trading day.[5] The first pilot store opened in December 1990 in the Octagon Centre, Burton upon Trent, after being turned down by big landlords who had reservations about allowing such a store to operate,[5] given they could easily undercut every retailer in sight. That store was still trading into the 2010s as the Burton branch, but has since moved to an adjacent unit. It was soon followed by other stores, most notably on The High Street, Meadowhall.

By the end of the first year, Poundland was operating from several stores and had turned over £1million, with a profit of £6000. Growth continued throughout the early 1990s, with six stores by December 1991 and a further seven a year later. In 1995, Smith failed to plan for more warehouse space and retail growth pushed their storage capacity past its limits. In response to unacceptably high stock theft, a new 130,000-square-foot (12,000 m2) warehouse was built, although at a cost of heavy profit losses, from £850,000 in 1994 to £400,000 in 1995.[5] The retailer managed to resolve their operational difficulties throughout 1996 when their new office in Hong Kong opened to support product sourcing and operations in the UK.[6]

Early 2000s: Expansion and management buyout

Although enduring a troubled first few years, by the 2000s Poundland had become a multimillion-pound business, opening their 150th store in Northampton in mid-2006 with steady increases in gross turnover throughout the decade.[7] Following a management buy-out in 2002 by Advent International for £50m,[8] the company continued to grow with annual profit growth of 46% a year from £4.1m in 2006 to £12.7m in 2009.[9] Chairman Colin Smith, speaking in April 2005 as Poundland revealed it had invested £20–25 million in building a 300,000 square feet (28,000 m2) distribution centre, said there was great scope for further growth, saying "We can clearly conceive this chain having 400-plus stores in future";[10] this target was reached in 2012 with the opening of their Haringey store.[11]

Exterior view of a Poundland store
A Poundland store in Belfast

Late-2000s: Economic recession

Poundland reported strong sales in a time of economic crisis, with 2008–2009 revenue just short of £400m, up from £330m the previous year.[12] Despite this, Poundland closed stores not financially viable, even if well-positioned, such as in West Ealing where it is believed high rental costs were one of the reasons why the company pulled out of the area.[13] Former CEO Jim McCarthy suggested there is a misconception that Poundland is a better business in a recession, saying they're better during normal economic conditions, yet are robust to manage well under any econonmic conditions.[14]

When the rate of VAT was reduced in November 2008 to 15%, Poundland's prices remained fixed at £1, by reason that they have kept the same single price point of £1 for 18 years whilst absorbing duty and increased supplier costs and that savings would be passed on in other ways.[15] Reports emerged in September 2008 that Poundland's owners, Advent International, were to put the retail chain up for sale, with figures showing that value retailers were seeing business boom during the economic recession,[16] whilst noting that value-conscious customers were switching from traditional larger supermarket retailers for everyday necessities.[12] The retailer had a good start into 2010 when they announced they had seen a surge in sales by nearly 35% over the 2009–2010 festive period.[17]

Recent history

In early 2010, Poundland's then-owners Advent International were planning on cashing in on the resurgence in discount retailers by preparing to put the chain up for sale. The report came as figures showed that value retailers were seeing a business boom in the current economic climate,[18] with Barclays Private Equity expressing an interest in a potential take-over of Poundland for about £200 million.[8] On Tuesday 4 May 2010, it was announced that Poundland had been sold to US private equity firm Warburg Pincus for £200 million[19] and was the subject of an Initial Public Offering in March 2014.[20]

The company acquired 99p Stores in 2015, which was followed by a drop in its share price from 350p to 150p; in August 2016, the now-struggling Poundland was sold to the South African company Steinhoff International for £610 million.[21] Poundland's shareholders approved the takeover in September 2016.[22] The business has converted the 99p Stores under the Poundland brand, while introducing 'Poundland & More' as new concept in the acquired stores.[23]

Business operations

Sales strategy

Items on sale at Poundland that cost more than £1

For much of its history, Poundland promoted their sales strategy through the slogan: "Yes, Everything's £1!",[5] yet started selling items that cost more than £1 from the mid-2010s onwards; the Advertising Standards Authority received complaints that the slogan was thus misleading and required it ceased usage.[24] There had been plans to expand the price offering in 2009 (such as a £2 section, 50p section etc.), but was decided against at the time after understanding the overwhelming message from customers was not to change the easily understandable single price strategy.[25]

For the majority of stock sold at £1, the company reduces the need to transmit pricing information to stores and associate price tags with each item.[26] With some manufacturers being apprehensive about selling their brands in a discount environment, the store offers the alternative of selling the products under their own in-house brand.[27] Running a store in which prices do not change presents challenges, particularly with inflation, however inflation has also meant that some products which used to have an RRP below £1 (and were thus cheaper elsewhere) may now represent better value at £1.[28]

Various tactics adopted to work around inflation include decreasing the quantity of an item within a set (such as removing a pencil within a larger pack) to reduce the production costs[28] and replacing third-party brands with their own-brand alternatives. Examples of branded products being replaced include After Eights[29] and Toblerone, the latter being replaced in 2017 by a closely resembling own-brand product Twin Peaks.[30] The retailer dismisses concerns about a weaker pound, as this reduces freight costs which counteracts the impact.[12]

Products offered

Former in-house brands "Toolbox".

Poundland offer a range of approximately 3500 products, of which 1000 are branded products with the majority being food and drink.[1] Stock typically is categorised as either ongoing core lines (products bought direct from the manufacturer), seasonal ranges or clearance stock,[31] with 10,000 new products featured each year.[1] Initially, unbranded products stocked by Poundland (accounting for roughly 70% of total stock)[7] would carry the Poundland branding and logo; the retailer determined that they could increase sales by removing the Poundland branding and creating around 50 sub-brands, such as Beauty Nation, Kitchen Corner and Toolbox for its value line of DIY products.[12] Some of the products sold under the in-house brand are supplied by manufacturers who are worried about their brand being sold in discount stores and would rather allow their products to sell without their own branding attached.[5]

As well as their in-house brand lines, the retailer sells many products from familiar brands, such as Colgate, Walkers and Cadburys.[32] Poundland were reported to be Britain's largest seller of batteries in 2009, stocking brands such as Sony, Panasonic and Kodak in competitively priced quantities,[31] with Kodak AA batteries being one of their best selling items in 2009.[33] Poundland also sell large quantities of their stock to other retailers off-the-shelf, where it is cheaper for these retailers to pay £1 each for a bulk purchase than it would be to pay a discounted bulk-purchase rate elsewhere.[5] From 2016, Pep&Co clothing items were sold in Poundland branches, although similar to the retailer's contemporary sales strategy of multiple priced items, the clothing items would similarly cost more than the £1 single-price. Whilst some Pep and Co outlets would share store space with larger Poundland outlets, smaller stores feature a minimal clothing offering.[34]

Customers

Poundland estimated it served 7 million customers per week in 2016,[1] with most in the C1, C2, D and E categories although claimed in 2008 that 10% of their customers were in the A/B social grade groups,[7] an increase of 22% compared to 2007.[35] The retailer is keen to move away from a reputation of only appealing to low-income households, as they continue to expand into mainstream shopping centres and districts, targeting an increasing number of higher earning consumers.[7] It was reported in March 2017 that around 85% of the country has at some point shopped in a Poundland store.[4]

Corporate affairs

Competition

Poundworld is now Poundland's closest competitor

Since the acquisition of 99p Stores in 2015, Poundland's closest competitor is Poundworld. Prior to this, the retailer had to compete with both discount chains, including temporarily dropping prices in a store to 90p in August 2014, to compete with then-neighbouring 99p Stores, who in turn reduced their prices to 92p.[36]

Poundland may sometimes find they are competing with other retailers' own brand produce. It was reported in May 2010 that Poundland were selling rebranded lotions for £1, exactly the same product that Boots were selling under their own brand for significantly more.[37] Boots responded to the findings by suggesting that the products available in Poundland stores were likely excess stock they had sold off below cost price which had been destined for overseas markets, with some inadvertently directed into UK distribution without their permission.[38]

Larger chains have felt the impact of discount retailers, with some customers switching from larger supermarket retailers for everyday necessities.[12] To entice customers into their stores from larger supermarket chains, Poundland advertise familiar brands at competitive prices, with the hope customers may then be inclined to impulse buy other products such as own-brand that they otherwise wouldn't have purchased.[31] Asda reduced some branded product prices such as Colgate toothpaste to £1 in January 2009, in competition with Poundland who offered the same products at the £1 price; in response, Poundland introduced multi-buy offers to provide a larger quantity of the products for the same price.[39] However, research conducted by The Grocer magazine in August 2009 found that of the 1300-odd supposedly discounted ASDA products, a third were the same price as in March 2008 and 173 products had been selling for less than £1 during Spring 2009.[31]

Store expansion

Store growth from 2000-2016

From 2000 until 2003, company growth was steady with a milestone 100th store opening in Shirley, West Midlands in 2003,[11] yet in the following three years, store numbers had increased by 50% to 150 by 2006 (see graph). Growth slowed until early 2008 when Poundland took advantage of the economic downturn to further expand at an average rate of 3.7 stores a month, from February 2008 to September 2009, opening their 200th store during this time.[40] As of 2015, Poundland's UK and Ireland stores average 5,233 square feet (490 m2), and typically range from 1,700 square feet (160 m2) to 12,000 square feet (1,100 m2).[41]

The retailer expanded into Northern Ireland and opened 6 stores before Christmas 2009, selling locally sourced goods such as milk as well as their usual branded products.[14] Following the acquisition of 99p Stores, Poundland announced 80 stores were to close in November 2016, just 2 months after their takeover by Steinhoff International.[42]

Financial performance

Poundland have seen encouraging increases in turnover year on year,[43] helped by an increase of store openings and turbulent economic conditions in the mid-2000s. Where some high street shops reported a downturn in profits during the financial struggle, Poundland experienced growth attributed to rapid price inflation of numerous household necessities,[44] including increased sales of toothpaste and tinned food.[45]

Year ending Turnover (£m) Profit
Gross (£m) Operating (£m) Pre-tax (£m) Net (£m)
31 March 2016[2] 1310.5 488.82 56.9 30.3 −12
31 March 2015[2] 1111.5 412.36 59.4 32.8 13.9
31 March 2014[46] 997.8 368.5 54.0 27.3 −4.7
31 March 2013[47] 880.5 323.5 30.1 26.5 23.4
1 April 2012[48] 780.1 287.8 32.0 23.5 17.5
27 March 2011[47] 518.4 190.8 15.7 8.5 5.1
28 March 2010[49] 509.8 192.6 21.5 19.8 13.0
29 March 2009[49] 396.2 150.3 11.8 8.6 4.8
30 March 2008[50] 329.7 123.5 8.0 4.2 1.9
1 April 2007[50] 310.7 112.9 3.6 −0.38 −1.2
2 April 2006[51] 281.2 100.4 1.9 −1.6 −2.1

International operations

Although price-point retailing and psychological pricing was first adopted in the United States during the 1870s by Frank Winfield Woolworth,[52] the chain claims to have introduced this concept to Europe[53] and in 2009, claimed to be the largest single-price discount retailer in Europe.[14]

On 2 August 2011, Poundland announced plans to expand into mainland Europe under the name Dealz. The first 6 stores opened in Republic of Ireland in late 2011, creating 120 jobs[54] and was followed by a store in the Isle of Man in December 2011.[55] The name 'Euroland' was not chosen to avoid the impact of price volatility and allow for variation in price when necessary,[56] as well as poor feedback from potential customers.[57]

Criticism and litigation

Although the £1 price prevails throughout the stores, some branded products have been known to be offered cheaper at supermarket chains, such as a case reported by the Daily Mirror newspaper in November 2009, which compared Poundland prices for branded products with the same products offered at supermarket stores and found in some cases the supermarkets offered better value.[58]

Environmental concerns

A pack of polo mints similar to that sold at Poundland

In 2008, Poundland infuriated green campaigners by transporting Polo peppermints 7,300 miles (11,700 km) into the UK from Indonesia, rather than sourcing locally, despite being close to the Nestle Rowntree's factory in York which has made the mint since 1948. Poundland insists it is cheaper for them to source the product from overseas, including transport costs, to ensure it can continue offering value for money,[59] although the mints were transported by ship, not by air, so the environmental impact was less significant.[28]

Health and safety

Some products occasionally fail to meet health and safety standards and may pose a health threat to the consumer. Previous examples have included withdrawal of dangerous car jump leads in February 2006 found to only have a 3 amp wire which, if used, could quickly overheat, melt and possibly catch fire[25], as well as recalling Halloween witch hats in October 2008, after checks revealed a small number of chemicals classified unsafe.[60]

In 2010, Poundland were fined £4000 after a customer suffered injury due to a defective fishing catapult[61] and in the same year fined £3,500 for selling lighters that produced a flame causing the device to melt during normal use.[62]

Aside from potentially unsafe products, Poundland has also been found guilty of blocking fire exits and fined £3,000 in 2005, with a further breach in 2011 that incurred a fine of £20,000 and evacuation of a store due to poor fire safety.[63]

Pest infestation

Poundland were fined £24,000 in June 2012 following an investigation of a store in Croydon, London. Council inspectors found poor hygiene, mouse infestation and food contaminated by mice chewing open the packaging and leaving droppings and urine inside, which were then re-sealed and sold to the public. Poundland admitted failing to withdraw food unfit for consumption, failing to control mice and failing to ensure the store was well maintained and clean. Additionally they admitted to failure to implement and maintain its own food safety management system.[64]

In June 2015, Poundland were fined £10,000 following an investigation by Islington Council of a store in north London. Evidence of a widespread mouse infestation and that the company had failed to take appropriate action to remedy the situation was presented in court.[65][66]

Staff ban on wearing poppies

In response to a news story about a member of staff being sent home for wearing a Remembrance poppy in 2011,[67] Poundland posted a comment on their Facebook and Twitter social media stating "Poundland is not against colleagues wearing a poppy; however, colleagues are not allowed to wear one on the shop-floor simply as it does not abide by the uniform rules."[68]

Poundland backed down from the ban on 31 October 2011,[69] and released the statement that employees will be allowed to "use their own discretion in wearing poppies" after hundreds of customers threatened to boycott the store.[70][71]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Poundland Group PLC, Companies House". Companies House. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Poundland Annual Reports and Financial Statement 2016" (PDF). Steinhoff International. March 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  3. ↑ "Poundland buy-out puts Dodd on cloud nine". icBirmingham. 2004.
  4. 1 2 "Who are Steven and Tracy Smith? Poundland founders featured on How’d You Get So Rich?". The Sun. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Poundland founder Steve Smith: 'I gave my parents £25m when I sold the company'". Telegraph. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "Poundland's Incredible Rise Explained As Company Moves To Buy '99p Stores'". Huffington Post. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Poundland seeks to widen appeal as consumers tighten belts". Marketing Week. 6 March 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  8. 1 2 Thompson, James (29 March 2010). "Barclays Private Equity eyes £200m take-over of Poundland". The Independent. London. Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  9. ↑ "Poundland Company Profile". Fast Track. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  10. ↑ "Poundland gears up to reach 400 outlet total". The Grocer. 16 April 2005. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  11. 1 2 "25 years of the Poundland empire". Express & Star. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Finch, Julia (6 December 2008). "Poundland is booming". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 December 2008.
  13. ↑ "The recession claims another West Ealing shop". Ealing Today. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  14. 1 2 3 "Poundland to open six NI stores". BBC News. 10 September 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  15. ↑ Walsh, Kate (30 November 2008). "Poundland is staying quids in after Vat cut". Times Online. London. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
  16. ↑ "Advent eyes Poundland sale as shoppers feel pinch". The Telegraph. 14 September 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  17. ↑ "Poundland Christmas sales rise by a third". The Guardian. London. 11 January 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
  18. ↑ "Advent ready to put Poundland up for sale". Financial Times. 11 March 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  19. ↑ Wearden, Graeme (4 May 2010). "Poundland sold for £200m in private equity deal". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  20. ↑ "Poundland and Pets at Home set flotation share prices". The Guardian. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  21. ↑ Nils Pratley (13 July 2016). "Poundland's bid decision is fine – but please don't use Brexit as the excuse". The Guardian.
  22. ↑ Bradshaw, Julia (7 September 2016). "Steinhoff seals Poundland takeover after shareholders give blessing". The Telegraph. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  23. ↑ "Poundland launches "Poundland & More" multi-price trial stores". Access Point. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  24. ↑ "Poundland are in trouble for selling things that cost more than a pound". 4 March 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  25. 1 2 "Poundland's chief tells how the bargain brand has forced the big names on the high street to take notice". The Scotsman. 7 June 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  26. ↑ "Poundland 'winning supplier confidence'". The Grocer. 8 February 2003. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  27. ↑ "Poundland - Tricks of the retail trade". Economy Team. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  28. 1 2 3 Reuben, Anthony (23 October 2008). "How do pound shops cope with inflation?". BBC News. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  29. ↑ "Poundland accelerates push to sell items over £1". Retail Gazette. 30 March 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  30. ↑ "Poundland unveils Twin Peaks, a Toblerone-style chocolate bar". The Grocer. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  31. 1 2 3 4 Henley, Jon (4 August 2009). "How Britain fell in love with Poundland". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  32. ↑ "Champagne corks to pop for Preston Poundland". Lancashire Telegraph. 25 August 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  33. ↑ "Poundland and other cheap stores thrive in recession and credit crunch". Daily Mirror. 5 April 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  34. ↑ "Poundland to start selling clothes.... but not for £1". Retail Gazette. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  35. ↑ "The story of Poundland - the land the credit crunch forgot". Daily Mirror. 8 October 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  36. ↑ "Discount stores across the country cutting prices to 90p as they battle for customers". Daily Mail. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  37. ↑ "Boots' £8 beauty creams disguised with different labels and sold in discount stores for just £1". Daily Mail. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  38. ↑ "Boots addresses sale of its products in Poundland". Retail Week. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  39. ↑ "Asda war on Poundland". Daily Mirror. 2 January 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  40. ↑ "Corrie star to open 200th Poundland". Digital Spy. 26 November 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  41. ↑ "Poundland Group plc Annual Report & Financial Statements" (PDF). 2 July 2014.
  42. ↑ "Poundland to offload up to 80 stores". The Telegraph. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  43. ↑ "Toy and Model Shops UK - Poundland Portfolio Analysis". Toy and Model Shops.
  44. ↑ Gwynne, Jason (6 June 2008). "The Profits of Gloom". BBC News. Retrieved 31 August 2008.
  45. ↑ "Crisis? What Crisis? - The ten retailers defying the gloom". The Independent. 30 June 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  46. ↑ "Poundland Annual Reports and Financial Statement 2015" (PDF). Steinhoff International. March 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  47. 1 2 "Annual Report 2014" (PDF). Poundland. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  48. ↑ "Poundland - Companies House". Companies House. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  49. 1 2 "Poundland financial statement 2010". Free Company Accounts. 28 March 2010. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  50. 1 2 "Poundland financial statement 2008". Free Company Accounts. 30 March 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  51. ↑ "Poundland financial statement 2006". Free Company Accounts. 2 April 2006. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  52. ↑ "How did pound shops change the UK?". BBC. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  53. ↑ "Retailer Spotlight - Poundland". Access Point. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  54. ↑ "Poundland to expand into eurozone". The Independent. 2 August 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  55. ↑ "UK: Poundland to extend Dealz format to UK". Just Food. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  56. ↑ "Poundland expands into Europe but shuns the 'Euroland' brand for Dealz". Daily Mail. London. 3 August 2011.
  57. ↑ Bowers, Simon (2 August 2011). "Poundland to open 4 stores in Ireland – just don't mention the euro". The Guardian. London.
  58. ↑ "Supermarkets beat Poundland prices". Daily Mirror. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  59. ↑ "Row over Poundland Polo mint imports". Daily Mirror. 7 March 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  60. ↑ "Witch hats recalled by Poundland". BBC News. 30 October 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  61. ↑ Brooks, Stephanie (5 November 2010). "Poundland fined £4,000 after Lowestoft shopper injured". Eastern Daily Press.
  62. ↑ Andrew Pain (4 November 2010). "Stockton Poundland fined for selling unsafe lighters". gazettelive.
  63. ↑ "Poundland fined £20,000 for Portsmouth store safety breaches". Stay Legal. 10 February 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  64. ↑ "Poundland store put biscuits chewed by mice back on shelves in re-sealed bags". Daily Mail. 20 June 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  65. ↑ "Poundland fined £10,000 after mouse droppings discovered in a north London store". Metro. 19 June 2015.
  66. ↑ "Poundland fined £10k over mice infestation". ITV News. 19 June 2015.
  67. ↑ "Poundland forced to review dress code after claims staff banned from wearing remembrance poppies". Daily Mirror. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  68. ↑ "Poundland uniform policy bans staff wearing poppies". Poundland's Facebook page. 28 October 2011.
  69. ↑ "Poundland says sorry for poppy policy". Express & Star. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  70. ↑ "Poundland backs down on shopfloor poppy ban after customers threaten boycott". Daily Mail. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  71. ↑ "Poundland u-turn over poppy after complaint from Lisburn employee". BBC News. 29 October 2011.
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