Major retailer Poundland has faced a challenging year amid a significant restructuring plan, resulting in the shutdown of a substantial number of stores. Yet, there appears to be little sign of relief, as more closures are on their way in 2026, in yet another major blow to the UK high street. In June, owners Pepco sold the brand to a US investment company, Gordon Brothers, for just £1, with a major restructuring plan launched immediately afterwards. The initial plan was to close 68 shops and two warehouses in the UK, putting 1,300 jobs at risk. However, the discount retailer concluded its main store closure programme in September, shutting 57 stores and placing 11 closures on hold. Since then, more than 40 other closures have been revealed, due to leases expiring or landlords serving notice. By the start of 2026, Poundland is set to shut more than 100 sites as it looks to slash its estate from nearly 800 sites to between 650 and 700. Before the closures, Poundland employed over 16,000 people across 792 branches in …