[BUSINESS] – Poundland asks ‘Chunterers, to pipe down’

We try to be nice people. We’re definitely not perfect, but we work hard and make sure we don’t lose our sense of humour.  And at the moment our teams – in shops, distribution centres and central offices – are working flat out.

That’s because we sell food and other essentials like household cleaners, toiletries and pet food. In fact 70% of what we sell is classed as essential by the government.

Those that shop with us already know that and, we know from their messages, they’re grateful we’re still there for them.

But there’s just one or two noisy souls who’ve been chuntering away all week. They’re a bit steamed up that we’re open and think Britain should now be at Waitrose. (Respect Waitrose, we love what you do, this ain’t about you).

Well, respectfully, we’d like to ask the Chunterers, to pipe down a little. Here’s why we’re open:

• We serve a customer who lives week to week and can’t afford to bulk buy;
• Largely, that customer walks to our stores and buys what they can carry home;
• We’re on the very high streets this country wants to continue to thrive when this is all over.

Not only that, but we’ve bust our little behinds this week to make our shops safe. Floor markers for social distancing; marshalls at the front of store to limit customer numbers; extra hand washing and cleaning routines. Perspex screens are on their way and start to be installed from this week.

We’re keeping our shelves largely full and we’re proud to say we haven’t moved a single price.

But most important of all, our shop floor and logistics colleagues have rolled up their sleeves and gone to work to serve the nation. Gladly. Because they wanted to serve. And we’ve tried to repay that service by giving them extra holiday and other benefits.

So for them, our 18,000 Poundland key workers, we’re now politely asking the Chunterers to lower the volume.

If you could perhaps stop tweeting @BorisJohnson, @NicolaSturgeon @PiersMorgan, @mrjamesob or any other famous person on Twitter, we’d be obliged. We really don’t want others to judge you.

In the meantime, stay home and only come to us if you need us. If you do, we’re proud to be of service.