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Our journey from 1990 to the present day

Important notice: Poundland was part of Pepco Group until June 2025; accordingly, the information on this website, including the 2024 Annual Report, accurately reflects the company for that reporting period. Following its separation updated information on operations and portfolio will be disclosed in the Annual Report to be published in December 2025.

History timeline

PEPCO
POUNDLAND
DEALZ
PGS
2025
2023

Enters Portugal and Bosnia & Herzegovina

2022

Enters Germany and Greece

Pepco is one of Europe’s most compelling physical retail growth stories

2021

Enters Spain and Austria

2,200 stores in 14 countries

2020

Enters Italy and serbia

2,000th store opened

2019

Enters Bulgaria

PEPCO’s entry into Bulgaria shows once more the success of the PEPCO format

2018

Opens first Baltic stores in Estonia and Latvia

The Group traded from 2,360 stores

2017

European expansion

Enters Croatia, Slovenia and Lithuania

2016

1,000th store opened

2015

European expansion

Enters Hungary and Romania

2014

500th store opened

2013

Expands into Czechia and Slovakia

2011
2009
2008
2007

100th store opened

2003

Pepkor South Africa acquires 14 former Poundstretcher stores and launches PEPCO brand in Poland the following year

1990
2025

Poundland sold to Gordon Brothers in June 2025

2023
2022
2021
2020

Acquired Fultons Frozen Foods

100th Frozen Store-in-Store opened

2019

Launches proposition change programme with 8 new price points

2018

Opens 200th Clothing Store-in-Store

2017

Begins PEP&CO Store-in-Store roll out

Supercar-like acceleration, from nought to 300 in what seems like three seconds, not three years, is an amazing achievement

2016

Acquired by pepkor

2015
2014
2013
2011
2009

Launches in Northern Ireland

2008
2007
2003
1990

Established in Burton-on-Trent

2025
2023
2022
2021
2020

100+ stores
in mainland Europe

2019
2018

Dealz launches in Poland

Following the continued success of the Dealz format in Poland, we have continued to open stores rapidly.

2017
2016
2015
2014

Enters the Spanish market

…a further statement of our confidence

2013
2011

First Dealz stores open in the Republic of Ireland

2009
2008
2007
2003
1990
2025
2023
2022
2021
2020

PGS starts process to exclusively supply Pepco companies

2019
2018

Acquired by Pepco Group

2017

Poundland’s sourcing office in Hong Kong is incorporated into PGS

 

2016
2015
2014
2013
2011
2009

Sourcing offices established in

Shenzhen, Bangladesh and India

2008

Sourcing office established in

Shanghai, serving Pepkor retailer Ackermans

2007
2003
1990
2025 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2011 2009 2008 2007 2003 1990
YEAR

Note: Steinhoff acquired Pepkor South Africa, including the Pepco Group (previously known as Pepkor Europe) in 2015.
Whilst the majority of shares in the Pepco Group are indirectly owned by Steinhoff,
it is managed independently through its devolved leadership team.

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