WILKO confirmed they won't be running their home delivery service and Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert issued a warning about online scammers targeting shoppers.
You can still check what's available at your nearest shop from Wilko's website and while you're there make sure to use their store locater tool to find out bank holiday opening times.
Meanwhile, deputy editor of MoneySavingExpert.com Gareth Shaw warned Wilko customers: "A couple of giveaways can be unusual-looking URLs and unsecured payment pages.
"For web addresses, it's what's before the .com or .co.uk that counts – always look where you're clicking, as it's so easy not to notice extra characters in a web address. Although a secure site doesn't guarantee it isn't a scam, any data you enter when paying for a purchase is encrypted so it's harder for others to intercept.
"It's really easy to tell as the web address will start with 'https', rather than just 'http'. Look for a security padlock on your browser (usually next to the web address)."
Read our Wilko live blog for the latest news and updates…
- By Catherine Micallef
Why are retailers closing stores?
Online shopping has been dominating the commerce world, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world and threw everyone into lockdown, forcing stores to shut down and people to turn to their laptops to look for items to buy.
Combine that with higher energy and employee wage costs which has urged retailers to take the difficult decision of closing down some of their stores.
While some have been closing, others have also been opening new branches including B&M and Poundland.
Credit: Getty - By Catherine Micallef
Iceland to shut down some stores in weeks
Iceland will be shutting down more stores this year, adding to the other 14 that have already been closed so far.
On September 2, the Llanelli branch in Wales will shut down while on September 26, the ones in the Market Shopping Centre in Crewe and the one in Grange Road, Birkenhead will also close their doors.
The other 14 supermarkets to have closed in 2023 are:
- Mill Lane, Bromsgrove – February
- Chineham Shopping Centre, Basingstoke – February
- White Rose Centre, Rhyl – March
- South Street, Newport, Isle of Wight – March
- St Catherine's Place, Bedminster, Bristol – March
- Deiniol Centre, Bangor – March
- Newport – April
- Berwick – April
- Hexham – April
- Flint, Wales – May
- Beccles, Suffolk – June
- St David's Place, Swansea – July
- Fife – August 12
- Fratton – August 26
Despite such closures, the discounter is opening branches too as it pulled up the shutters on a store in Slough and opened two new shops under the Food Warehouse brand in Kendal and Aberdeen in recent weeks.
‘No plans to close stores next week’
A spokesperson for PwC has said that all stores will remain open in the short term.
The statement said: “In the immediate term, all stores remain open, continue to trade and staff continue to be paid.
“Contrary to speculation, there are currently no plans to close any stores next week.”
- By Catherine Micallef
Union boss slams Wilko family
Andy Prendergast, National Secretary of the GMB union, which represents around 1/3 of Wilko workers, has slammed the company’s owners.
“The Wilkinson family took tens of millions from the business in the decade up to the collapse,” he said.
“If they were serious about supporting working people, they should have invested in their staff.”
- By Catherine Micallef
Wilko fans find massive savings in huge sale
A Wilko fan has taken to social media to show off her bargain buy – a garden barrel table that’s been reduced down to just £1.40.
Helen Munden took to the private money-saving page, proudly showing off her reduced find.
Helen was lucky enough to get her hands on the last two barrel tables, from a Wilko in Southampton.
The plastic green tables have been reduced down to just £2, but then thanks to the seasonal 30% sale, were slashed down to only £1.40 each.
- By Catherine Micallef
Shoppers hunting Wilko bargains asked to ‘please be kind’
One social media user reminded bargain hunters that the Wilko sale means the future of its 400 shops and 12,500 workers is at risk.
It turns out one of these workers is her husband.
Responding to negative posts on Facebook, she confessed: “Just a note to say please be kind when shopping in Wilko sales. My husband has worked there for 26 years.”
She added: “Started as a Saturday boy and worked really hard all the way up into a senior post. He’s now pending redundancy.”
Another user added: “Such a shame please be kind. I know people who work there.”
A third chimed: “Totally agree they don’t need folk being insensitive, so sorry your husband has to go through this . We had similar this year but not retail so feel for you. Sending good luck to your husband.”
- By Catherine Micallef
Major Wilko update
A second last-minute bid was put forward by private equity firm – M2 Capital – and it could save all of Wilko's stores and jobs, according to The Guardian.
It's understood that the offer was put forward late on Friday and it would involve keeping the entire Wilko chain trading.
It comes as billionaire owner of HMV Doug Putman was understood to have made a bid to rescue half of Wilko's stores and thousands of staff.
Credit: Reuters - By Catherine Micallef
Is Wilko still open?
Yes, all of Wilko’s 400 stores are currently still open as usual, but their future remains uncertain.
A statement from administrator PwC says: “In the immediate term, all stores remain open, continue to trade and staff continue to be paid.
“Contrary to speculation, there are currently no plans to close any stores next week.”
- By Catherine Micallef
What is Kin?
Kin was set up in 2020 and takes its name from the kin in Wilkinson, which is the original name of the troubled chain.
It was previously called Wilko Brands Limited and was set up to create products to be sold at Wilko as well as other retailers, with a focus on home and garden items.
According to its latest accounts filed in November 2022, Clever Pots were stocked in 129 B&Q stores and Skin Therapy in more than 875 independent pharmacies.
Kin reported a loss for the financial year to January 29, 2022 of £29.9million and said that trading conditions remained “challenging”, citing fragile consumer confidence, rising cost inflation and supply chain disruption.
At the time it said that it was securing financial support from Wilko which would keep it going until January 28, 2024, but that was not in place a the time of filing its accounts.
- By Catherine Micallef
Union will ‘ensure workers are consulted as per the law’
Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary, said: “GMB Union will continue to support members through this process and will fight to ensure members are consulted as per the law and that you receive every penny you are entitled to.
“We will fight to ensure Wilko bosses are held accountable for the simple reason our members deserve so much better.
“GMB will not forget the incompetence that has led to this collapse and will we not forget the dividends paid to the millionaires who gambled your jobs on their whims.”
- By Catherine Micallef
Major retail chain 'in pole position' to take over Wilko
The billionaire owner of HMV – Doug Putman – has reportedly been reaching out to investors and debt providers in a bid to rescue Wilko and 200 of its shops along with 4,000 jobs.
He's been in financial talks with the firms from which he originally bought HMV six years ago, according to Sky News.
The hopeful bidder is hoping to raise enough funds to save Wilko and keep it running under its well-known name.
- By Catherine Micallef
This bargain shop is opening 'bigger and better' stores
A popular bargain chain opened "bigger and better" stores yesterday after a series of closures.
The discounter began welcoming customers in a series of new outlets during the August bank holiday.
Find out about which chain has new shops and where below.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
WHAT’S IN STORE Bargain shop fave opening ‘bigger and better’ stores TODAY after closures
- By Catherine Micallef
Bargain hunters open up about Wilko sales
Wilko has recently announced a huge sale with some items up to 50% off.
Bargain hunters have been sharing the deals they have found in Wilko stores up and down the country.
One money saving group has let it’s members know some of the earlier deals to be had, which has seen items drop by up to 30% off in price.
The Extreme Bargains UK group shared the news in a Facebook post online.
They said: “Wilko Sale Up To 30% Off!”
In the post Facebook users could see sale signs for pets items at 10% off as well as 30% off stationary, toys and Halloween items.
The homeware section has a 20% off some items.
The price has racked up over 100 impressions but it sounds like many shoppers were expecting better deals.
One user said: “It’s a rip of that’s why! £4.50 for dogs deodorant in the one near mine you can literally walk 10 seconds next door and get it for £2.50.”
Another said: “They will go down to 50 percent soon. They are 30 ATM so they can push their luck and try get as much money as they can before they go.”
“Mine is still full price,” claimed a third user.
- By Catherine Micallef
What has the GMB National Secretary said?
Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary, said: “GMB Union will continue to support members through this process and will fight to ensure members are consulted as per the law and that you receive every penny you are entitled to.
“We will fight to ensure Wilko bosses are held accountable for the simple reason our members deserve so much better.
“GMB will not forget the incompetence that has led to this collapse and will we not forget the dividends paid to the millionaires who gambled your jobs on their whims.”
- By Catherine Micallef
Poundland and B&M rumoured to buy parts of Wilko group – reports
According to a report from Sky News, fellow bargain retailers like Poundland and B&M, are rumoured to be among the businesses considering buying parts of the Wilko empire.
The publication reports PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) are in advanced talks to divide parts of the 400-strong chain.
It says that, according to an insider, Poundland is in discussions to acquire roughly 100 stores, while B&M is also in negotiations to acquire 40 and 50 shops.
- By Catherine Micallef
Administrators deny shops will close in the next week
A spokesman for the administrators at Pricewaterhousecoopers (PwC) denied plans to close stores next week were taking place.
They said that all stores currently remain open but accepted there will likely be redundancies and store closures in the future.
He said: “Since our appointment as administrators of Wilko we have held extensive discussions with parties who expressed an interest in buying all or part of the business.
“While discussions continue with those interested in buying parts of the business, it’s clear that the nature of this interest is not focused on the whole Group.
“Sadly, it is therefore likely that there will be redundancies and store closures in the future and it has today been necessary to update employee representatives.
“We know this will further add to the uncertainty felt by workers. We will be supporting staff through this deeply unsettling time, working closely with the government, JobCentre plus, unions and large employers to maximise possibilities for a rapid return to work for employees in the event of redundancies.
“In the immediate term, all stores remain open, continue to trade and staff continue to be paid. Contrary to speculation, there are currently no plans to close any stores next week.”
- By Catherine Micallef
How to transform your garden using £3 Wilko wildflower seeds
A gardening enthusiast has revealed to her TikTok followers how she used £3 Wilko wildflower seeds to transform her garden.
Find out all about what Beth had to tell her followers below.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
BLOOMING FAB Woman transforms garden by chucking a box of £3 Wilko wildflower seeds about
- By Catherine Micallef
When did Wilko go into administration?
On August 3, 2023 Wilko filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators after failing to find a buyer, after being faced with financial difficulties and supply issues for some time.
The company borrowed £40million the previous year from Hilco as well as cutting jobs and restructuring its leadership.
On 10 August 2023 the company went into administration, putting 12,000 jobs at risk.
- By Catherine Micallef
‘Redundancies and store closures are likely
Redundencies and store closures are “likely,” but won’t happen next week, the administrator in charge of ailing retailer Wilko has revealed.
In a new statement, Wilko administrator PwC said: “While discussions continue with those interested in buying parts of the business, it’s clear that the nature of this interest is not focused on the whole Group.”
The company went on to say that it is “therefore likely” that redundancies and store closures will be made.
- By Catherine Micallef
The desperate request to shoppers ahead of Wilko store closures
Wilko staff is urging "insensitive" customers to be considerate following the news that some Wilko stores will soon close.
Taking to social media, one worker said: "Anyone who's ever visited our store know that all the staff are amazing; they are family to each other and as such, are all suffering with the constant speculation, mis-truths and just in general.
"So, with this in mind, please be mindful of what you say to us – we are human. We do not need to hear the words 'when are you closing?', or 'I know you're closing', or any other insensitive remark that none of us want to hear."
Workers are urging shoppers to "be kind to the staff" as they're feeling "a lot of emotions" following the news from GMB.
- By Catherine Micallef
Money Saving Expert issues warning over Wilko scam
An urgent warning has been issued by Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert over a new Wilko scam which could cost shoppers thousands of pounds.
PwC confirmed that Wilko is no longer selling items online, however, scammers are creating copycat sites to fool those who might not know already.
Deputy editor of MoneySavingExpert.com, Gareth Shaw, said: "A couple of giveaways can be unusual-looking URLs and unsecured payment pages.
"For web addresses, it's what's before the .com or .co.uk that counts – always look where you're clicking, as it's so easy not to notice extra characters in a web address.
"Although a secure site doesn't guarantee it isn't a scam, any data you enter when paying for a purchase is encrypted so it's harder for others to intercept.
"It's really easy to tell as the web address will start with 'https', rather than just 'http'. Look for a security padlock on your browser (usually next to the web address)."
- By Catherine Micallef
Aldi’s kind gesture
Aldi has made a wonderful gesture to devastated Wilko workers over fears stores will close.
The discount supermarket has asked that any workers affected by the collapse of Wilko to get in touch about jobs.
It said that Aldi has more than 6,000 jobs available at the moment across its UK stores.
The news comes after the GMB Union claimed the majority of Wilko stores will close in weeks.
- By Catherine Micallef
Are the big supermarkets interested in Wilko?
Asda told The Sun that it has no interest in making a bid to save Wilko from administration.
Discount supermarkets Aldi and Lidl are looking to open new locations around the country as they both expand.
But one expert believes this wouldn’t result in an offer for Wilko.
Dr Amna Khan, a senior lecturer in consumer behaviour and retailing at Manchester Metropolitan University said: “Wilko’s locations are often in areas that have higher costs to run than discount retailers would be interested in.
“I don’t think any of the discount supermarkets would consider an offer either.”
It’s unclear if Morrisons, Sainsbury’s or Tesco is considering a bid for the firm.
- By Catherine Micallef
Poundland and B&M rumoured to buy parts of Wilko group – reports
According to a report from Sky News, fellow bargain retailers like Poundland and B&M, are rumoured to be among the businesses considering buying parts of the Wilko empire.
The publication reports PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) are in advanced talks to divide parts of the 400-strong chain.
It says that, according to an insider, Poundland is in discussions to acquire roughly 100 stores, while B&M is also in negotiations to acquire 40 and 50 shops.
- By Catherine Micallef
Full list of Wilko rival retailers offering staff jobs
Here is the full list of stores offering jobs:
- Aldi
- Dunelm
- The Works
- Home Bargains
- Hobbycraft
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