Pep&Co to reach 300 stores by end of June

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jun 8, 2018

Poundland’s fashion brand Pep&Co said it is on track to have more than 300 locations across the UK and the Republic Ireland by the end of June following an accelerated store opening programme.

The affordable chain opened its 200th store in Stockport in February, and has since then added new Pep&co locations and shop-in-shops in cities including Grimsby, Halesowen, Nuneaton, Ashford, Solihull, Conmel and Dover.

It said this has been the fastest rollout in retail history. The company wants to be one of the largest clothing retailers in the UK by sales volume, joining brands such as River Island, Topshop, Asos and Peacocks. By year end, it expects to become a £100 million annual turnover business.

Its ambitions are a breath of fresh air for the UK high street, which has been hit by a multitude of store closures, CVAs and administrations over the last year. Poundland hopes Pep&Co will be available at more locations that M&S at some point this year.

In fact, the retailer will open a combined store in a former Marks & Spencer store in Accrington, Lancashire, this month.

“Supercar-like acceleration, from nought to 300 in what seems like three seconds, not three years, is an amazing achievement,” said Pep&Co’s incoming merchandising director, Sarah Morgan.  

“The team is rightly proud of what they’ve achieved in such a short space of time, but beyond the business story, there’s clearly a fashion brand customers love. And we’re not going to stand still – we can do even more to grow as we build the brand.” 

Pep&Co has recently launched a trend-led swimwear range for the summer season, with bold colours, prints and slogans dominating the collection. It expects to add more trend-led seasonal pieces to face Primark in the value fashion market.