Reports are suggesting that the parent company of Poundland is planning to embark on a recruitment drive, with the creation of thousands of new jobs across its European operations.
Speaking to Reuters, Pepco Group Chief Executive Andy Bond said the firm is looking to create 13,000 new jobs across Europe over the next three years as part of the firm’s wider store portfolio expansion plans. Bond said the majority of the new jobs would be in mainland Europe, with the firm expecting to benefit from inflationary pressure as people become more price sensitive amid the ongoing economic uncertainty brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Today the Pepco Group operates Poundland in the UK, along with the Dealz and Pepco retail chains across other parts of Europe. The firm currently employs around 35,000 employees, trading from about 3,400 stores in 16 countries.
Pepco Group plans to treble its number of stores to help it achieve its target of over €1bn in core earnings within five to seven years. It will start trading in its 17th country, Austria, in September.
Bond said the expansion would mean promotion opportunities for existing employees, highlighting how 90 per cent of every management job was an appointment from within. “Unlike many bricks-and-mortar retailers which are all about stories of ‘haven’t we done a good job where we’re staying alive’, we’re very confident about our growth,” he told Reuters.
