It's all change at Poundland as shoppers will soon be able to shop online for the first time.
The popular discounter has snapped up digital competitor Poundshop.com, and will use it to fast-track its internet shopping plans.
Poundland said the acquisition is part of a wider ‘transformation of Poundland’ that will power a national roll-out of its own online store, following a small trial in the Midlands last year, which later increased to include parts of South Yorkshire.
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Poundland said the deal means customers will be able to shop online in the "near future", but it hasn't confirmed when the digital store will be opening.
Bosses at the bargain chain, which has 900 stores in the UK including around two dozen in the North East, said the next stage in the expansion is to launch Pep&Co clothing and homewares beyond the UK - offering a Dealz online service in The Republic of Ireland.
The rollout follows the opening of seven new stores last year and the expansion of its clothing partnership and frozen food range.
The discount retailer has also recently opened its biggest UK store in Nottingham, and last year it also trialled a new convenience store format with two smaller shops in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and Hornsea, East Yorkshire.
Its acquisition, online-only retailer Poundshop.com was founded in 2014 and has almost 400,000 customers across the UK.
It employs around 65 workers at its distribution centre in Wednesbury, West Midlands, and no jobs will go in the deal.
A spokesman said all online orders will also continue to be processed as normal during the migration.
Barry Williams, Poundland managing director, said: “It’s great to warmly welcome the Poundshop.com team to Poundland.
"This acquisition puts power and pace behind our aspirations to make our amazing products and value available to customers across the UK and Ireland, however they choose to shop."
Poundland was founded in 1990, primarily as a £1 store, initially selling clearance items.
