The owner of Poundland is demanding potential buyers pay £30 million to acquire the struggling UK discount chain, which it purchased for less than £1 last year. Gordon Brothers, the turnaround investor, has informed bidders that the sum is required to cover a shareholder loan inherited from previous owner Pepco. The loan is secured against all 640 stores in the chain.

The €1 purchase in June 2025 has sparked uncertainty over the retailer's future, employing 12,000 people. In the year to September 2025, Poundland reported a pre-tax loss of £85.2 million on revenues of £1.55 billion. However, a person close to the retailer stated the business was profitable on an earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation basis over the first nine months of the current financial year.

Interested parties include Fortress Investment Group and Modella Capital. Gordon Brothers has set a deadline of September 28 for offers, expecting a serious bid soon. The company also holds an asset-based lending facility worth up to £95 million.

Poundland has struggled in recent years due to inflation squeezing profit margins and lower-income consumer budgets. Pepco retains a minority equity stake in the chain. Gordon Brothers declined to comment.