OVER a hundred Poundland shops are getting a face lift this year - and there are five big changes for shoppers to spot.
We went behind the scenes at one of Poundland's new-look stores to meet the boss of the chain where he revealed how its shops are changing.
It comes less than a year after the discount chain acquired 71 former Wilko sites, boosting its store count to over 850 nationwide.
In recent months, its stores have been undergoing a huge regeneration project with 150 getting a makeover this year.
It then plans to roll out the format to more stores in the future.
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Shops will have new signs to give them an updated look - and highlight some of the best deals.
There's a new meal deal, discounts on clothing and an unbeatable deal on crisps.
The Sun visited one of the first locations to get a new look, The Fort Shopping Park, near Birmingham, and we chatted to the chain's boss, Austin Cooke about the changes.
Austin said: "This store is the new 'gold standard'. Everything here is new, from the layout to the ranges across all categories.
"We want to make these big stores a one-stop shop, and that's why we're heavily investing in improving the in-store experience."
So what can shoppers expect?
CHECK THE SIGNAGE
Gone are big green signs highlighting deals and offers.
Poundland has now introduced "Price Pounder" signs throughout its revamped stores.
These work by calling out savings against the RRP on big brands such as Heinz and Coca-Cola.
Shops will also place their best deals at the front of shops.
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Austin said: "You'll always find our "Price Pounders" at the front of the store in those first three or four bays when you enter, so don't miss this space.
"This is where all the best value products are going to be found inside your local store."
If you're a sucker for branded products, this could be a great way to save money.
For example, you can pick up a 415g can of Heinz Baked Beanz for £1 - 40p less than its recommended retail price (RRP), which is charged at all the major supermarkets, including Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Iceland.
Of course, you'll still need to compare prices as not all of the offers will beat prices at rivals.
Big brands like Fairy Liquid cost £1 for a 320ml bottle, but you can pick these up for the same price at other retailers, including Morrisons.
NEW CHEAP MEAL DEAL
As revealed in The Sun yesterday, Poundland is re-launching a meal deal to rival supermarkets and high street shops.
Its old offer was very basic and only included a smaller selection of items in a handful of stores.
The new meal deal now costs £3, and shoppers can try hundreds of new combinations.
It also beats rivals such as Tesco and Sainsbury's on price.
Austin said: "This meal deal is the best value in the land.
"There is no one that can touch on value here. We're 20% cheaper than the next competitor, and that is with a loyalty card."
Poundland's sandwiches come from the same manufacturer as M&S.
EXPANDING ITS CLOTHING RANGE
Poundland is planning to expand its clothing offering - and its cut prices too.
The bargain chain is clearly trying to steal shoppers from Primark and other low-cost fashion shops with its offering.
It now sells clothing in over 600 of its shops. Prices start at £2.50.
In the shop I visited it had expanded the clothing area, as it has seen a rise in customers purchasing clothing.
He said: We've cut all Pepco clothing prices by 20%, and they will stay that way for the foreseeable.
"We guarantee that our like-for-like clothing options are cheaper than Primark too."
"We know that our value is really, really strong against Primark, especially in our kids' wear offer and in ladies' wear as well, so it's definitely a place to save pounds inside the store," he added.
For example, shoppers can buy white women's vests for £2.50 at Poundland - the same items also cost £2.50 at Primark.
Again, families with young children can make a saving with baby wear.
Baby playsuits start from just £3 at Poundland - and that's the same as Primark too.
NEW VALUE LINES
Poundland's boss was very keen to promote the chain's new own-brand household cleaning range - Mighty Power.
He says it's a great way for shoppers to save cash if they are willing to ditch big-name brands.
Austin said: "We will only put our mighty power brand onto a product we know is really effective and it's ridiculously great value.
"And the pack sizes are 33% bigger than the competition as well."
Prices start at just 40p - but the range is limited to just over a dozen different items, so you might not be able to find the exact product you're after.
For example, shoppers can bag 70 Mighty Power Antibacterial Multi Surface Wipes for £1 at Poundland.
These are £1.50 cheaper than Zoflora, which usually cost £2.50. You can buy the same amount of wipes from Aldi for just 1p less too.
CHEAP CRISPS
This is certainly one of my pet peeves - not being able to mix and match different styles of crisp packets when I'm shopping.
However, Poundland is now bucking the trend and allowing customers to mix and match between multi-packs and sharing bags.
It means savvy shoppers can bag a multipack of six Walkers crisps as well as a sharing bag of Doritos Chili Heatwave for just £3.20.
The cheapest individual bag of six packs of Walkers Ready Salted crisps would cost £1.95 at Tesco.
And the cheapest bag of Doritos Chili Heatwave costs £1.50 at Tesco with a Clubcard.
If you were to buy the two separate packets at these retailers, you'd end up spending £3.45 - 25p more than you would if you took advantage of Poundland's new "Mix and Match" crisp deal.
Austin added: "Nobody else offers this value. We've got that across the whole department now."
