UK retailer Poundland has succumbed to pressure and launched a transactional website, offering all goods for £1 each plus a flat £4 delivery fee on all orders.
The discount retailer, which broke the £1bn sales barrier earlier this year, has followed up its success on the high street with the launch of www.poundland.co.uk.
The site, launching as a test, will sell 2,000 items available across its most popular non-food categories, including health and beauty, cosmetics, bakeware and DIY equipment.
All items will be sold at the fixed price of £1, however delivery costs a flat £4 unless shoppers spend more than £50 to get free delivery.
More novel features of the site include a shuffle button that serves up random produces from the range alongside a ‘scratchcard’ giving shoppers deals and offers such as free delivery.
The Poundland site is also appealing to cash and carry customers with bulk buying options.
Meanwhile, a click and collect trial is also planned to roll out within the next 12 months.
“We’re very pleased to have launched online. We now have over 550 stores across the UK which provide our customers with magic moments when they find amazing value products at our famous £1 price point,” explained Poundland chief executive Jim McCarthy.
“Our online channel will make shopping even easier, it’s convenient and caters for shoppers who may not yet have a Poundland nearby, but who still want to benefit from the amazing value and remarkable treasure trove of lines we offer.”
Currently, Poundland attracts 5.3 million customers a week to one of its 550 bricks and mortar stores in the UK.
The news comes as Poundland gears up to move into the final phase of its £55m purchase of 99p Stores, having been given the green light by the Competition and Markets Authority earlier this year.
Darryl Adie, Managing Director of Ampersand, commented on the deal: “The launch of Poundland’s new ecommerce website is just the beginning of its multi-channel journey. The new website, optimised for desktop, tablet and mobile positions Poundland as a fun, modern and accessible retailer. In addition to showcasing the extensive product range available to buy online and in-store, the new website features gamification and bulk buying. The new features are sure to appeal to Poundland’s loyal customer base.”