Wilko, the popular British retail chain, has returned to the high street, launching five new stores to date, with a sixth on its way!
Wilko Set for Comeback: New Ownership Revives Stores Across the UK
The popular retailer closed down last year after declaring bankruptcy, but The Range, another rival store, eventually paid £5 million to buy the brand.
Alex Simpkin, chief executive of the company that owns Wilko, remarked last year: “For the majority of its 93 years, Wilko was an incredibly successful business that gave its customers exactly what they needed to get their home and garden jobs sorted.
“It was their advanced own-brand capabilities that encouraged us to invest in the brand and wilko.com, and we’re excited to now be selling Wilko products online once more and across our 200 stores network.
“The public reaction to the loss of Wilko stores was undeniable. It’s clear that there’s a huge love for Wilko, and we’ve seen an encouraging demand for the return of its own-brand products. That’s why we’ve taken the decision to reintroduce Wilko back to many of the high streets and communities that it used to so proudly serve.”
Complete List of New Wilko Shops
The company, called CDS Superstores, has recently inaugurated new Wilko outlets in:
- Plymouth, Armada Shopping Centre
- Exeter, Guildhall Shopping Centre
- Luton, Luton Point
- St Albans, The Maltings
- Rotherham, Parkgate Shopping Park
- Poole, Dolphin Centre (set to open on August 16).
Although no more locations or launch dates have been announced, CDS Superstores has formerly claimed that it intends to open 300 new Wilko stores.
Before closing its doors in August 2023, Wilko operated over 400 stores and employed approximately 12,500 people. As indicated by CDS, these personnel are given priority for jobs in the new locations. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) failed to find a buyer for Wilko during its administration, therefore retail leases and other assets were sold off in bits.
Both new sites and previous Wilko stores are currently considered as potential locations for new stores. The new stores provide regular Wilko items such home and cleaning products, DIY decorating projects, garden and outdoor materials, home furniture, animal and pet supplies, storage solutions, and holiday season decor.