Poundland is to employ 2,000 temporary staff to help with the Christmas rush.

Retail director Tim McDonnell said: "We need on average five or six extra staff [per store] to help us cope with this extremely busy period. The response so far has been fantastic – high-quality applicants with enthusiasm and a determination to get the job done."
 
Three hundred of the Christmas temporary employees last year went on to become permanent employees of the price discount retailer.

The news comes one year after Poundland began its expansion into Northern Ireland, during which time it has hired 455 new members of staff and is to employ a further 60 over the next three months.

It plans to open more stores in the province in the new year.