Budget bricks and mortar chain Poundland is set to start selling products to customers via safe shopping online for delivery direct to their doorsteps in 2021, according to Internet Retailing.

A trial of the digital transformation project that the firm is enacting at the moment will see a trio of Poundland stores being adapted to also cater to e-commerce orders, effectively allowing them to double up as fulfilment centres.

In the long run the aim is to enable consumers across the country to buy online for home delivery from Poundland stores, with this step being partly motivated by the fact that the recent pandemic-related lockdown saw a serious shift towards web-based shopping amongst millions of Brits.

Company spokesperson Barry Williams said that as well as working to make its online shopping site a success in the coming months, it was also aiming to provide support for struggling high streets nationwide by improving the in-store experience for customers with additions like free Wi-Fi, amongst other tweaks.

Although it may seem like Poundland is a little behind the curve when it comes to embracing e-commerce, it is worth pointing out that it is not the only budget-oriented retail brand that has been reticent to enter this segment of the marketplace. Cut-price fashion giant Primark has faced similar questions in the past, and for the time being seems committed to keeping all of its eggs in the bricks and mortar basket.

With 2500 stores across Europe as part of the wider Pepco group, Poundland has grown rapidly in the three decades since it was founded. If it wants to continue expanding its influence and meeting the needs of customers, it definitely makes sense to make online shopping an option and provide home delivery by using its existing infrastructure.