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Tue, 13 Oct 2026

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 Poundland in rescue talks as owners seek buyer

The leadership team is attempting a buyout, but a union has warned the retailer could fall into administration instead.

* Retailer seeking rescue deal due to pressures including rising costs and competition
* Management buyout being explored with Irish property development group, Martin Property Group
* Union warns that failure of deal could put 12,000 jobs at risk
* Poundland has about 600 stores in UK and Ireland and expects sales to grow more than 3% this year
* Current owners seeking buyers after retailer was sold for £1 last summer by previous owner Pepco
* Retail analyst says Poundland faces intense competition from rivals including B&M, Aldi, Lidl and online retailers
* Increased sales this year show deal with managing director Barry Williams as boss "would make good sense"