Poundland Christmas sales up 3.9 percent

LONDON (Reuters) - Poundland, the discount retailer, has emerged as one of the winners from the Christmas trading period with like-for-like sales up 3.9 percent in the five weeks to January 4.

The privately-owned group, which sells everything for 1 pound, said in a trading statement on Monday that total sales for the period were up 24.3 percent year-on-year.

The retailer, which currently trades from about 200 stores, said it plans to open a further 30 outlets in 2009, creating over 1,000 jobs.

"It is clear that Poundland has been one of the few retailers reporting growth during the 2008 Christmas trading period," said Chief Executive Jim McCarthy.

"We are well positioned to capitalise on the continuing strong customer trend to shop savvy and seek value for money."

Poundland's figures underscore the trends seen in the Christmas reporting season seen so far, with food and discount chains coping in the economic downturn, but sellers of discretionary items suffering.

(Reporting by James Davey; Editing by David Cowell)