Discount retailer Poundland has reported further sales growth and plans to press ahead with its expansion.
Poundland's revenues exceeded £1 billion for the first time in its last financial year, while total sales in the UK and Republic of Ireland rose by 11.8% to £1.1 billion, helped by the opening of 60 new stores.
Like-for-like revenues, which strip out the impact of new stores rose 2.4% in the year to 29 March.
The company said it continued "to carefully consider" a UK competition authority probe of its proposed acquisition of rival discount chain 99p Stores.
Jim McCarthy, Poundland’s chief executive said: "Despite tough trading conditions, Poundland continues to perform well and we served an average of 5.3 million shoppers a week during the quarter."
"We expect to continue to deliver our growth strategy in the new financial year, notwithstanding some headwinds from a weaker Euro and a tough comparable in the first half."
