July 19th 2024.
In December of last year, the popular Wilko store in Exeter made its grand reopening. After facing financial troubles and closing its doors, the beloved high street retailer has made a comeback by opening five new stores across the UK, with plans for a sixth store in Poole set to open on August 16th.
The company, which is now owned by rival outlet The Range, faced a difficult time when it collapsed into administration last year. However, it was later bought for £5 million and rebranded as CDS Superstores. The new Wilko stores have already been launched in Plymouth, Exeter, Luton, St Albans, and Rotherham, with more locations and opening dates yet to be revealed.
With a goal of opening 300 new stores, CDS Superstores has made it a priority to rehire the 12,500 employees who were affected by the company's collapse. These staff members are now being given the opportunity to work in the new stores, which is a relief for many who lost their jobs.
When Wilko first went into administration, there were no buyers, resulting in their store leases and other assets being sold off in parts. Poundland and B&M were among the companies that took on the leases of up to 70 and 50 former Wilko units respectively. However, the new owners of Wilko have high hopes for the brand's future.
Alex Simpkin, the CEO of CDS Superstores, expressed his excitement for the return of Wilko. He highlighted the company's successful 93-year run and how their own-brand products were a key factor in their decision to invest in the brand. With the public showing a strong demand for Wilko's return, the decision was made to reintroduce it to the high streets and communities it used to serve.
The new Wilko stores offer a range of products, from cleaning and household items to decorating and DIY supplies, garden and outdoor products, homeware, and even pet and wildlife goods. With potential plans to open new stores in both former Wilko locations and fresh locations altogether, the brand is determined to make a strong comeback.
As Wilko employees said their emotional goodbyes last year, some even sang Tina Turner's "Simply The Best" in Newcastle while others gathered together in Essex. Now, with the reopening of Wilko stores, these dedicated workers are able to continue serving their communities once again. And as a note, this article was originally published in December of 2023, marking the beginning of Wilko's successful comeback.
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