Poundland and B&M deals for 100 Wilko stores facing collapse due landlord haggling October 4, 2023 The acquisition of 100 Wilko stores by B&M and Poundland could fall through, as the discount retailers attempt to negotiate more favourable terms with landlords. B&M, which acquired 51 Wilko stores, has been accused of delaying completing deals while it looks to set up new rent and lease arrangements and to renegotiate the terms in [...]
Pepco: British Poundland veteran parachuted in to save struggling European wing September 28, 2023 A retail veteran, who was instrumental in driving UK growth for budget outlet Poundland, has been reshuffled by Pepco to head up its struggling European division. The move comes as the arm posted its second profit warning in three weeks. Barry Williams, who served as managing director of Poundland and Dealz, in the UK and [...]
High street struggles: 2,000 local stores, pubs and hairdressers wiped away this year September 21, 2023 Nearly 2,000 independent local stores were left vacant in the first half of this year, as the cost of living crisis continues to eat away at the health of the high street and small businesses. Some 1,915 independent businesses on high streets, retail parks and shopping centres closed in the first leg of this year, marking [...]
Wilko: Union calls for former boss to face MPs over £56m pension pot hole September 20, 2023 The union representing Wilko workers called for Lisa Wilkinson to answer questions about a £53m hole in its pension pot.
How Brits (and businesses) fell in love with the humble retail park September 20, 2023 On the outskirts of every bustling town and city lies the reliable, yet boring, retail park. But, as dull as they may be, retail parks are having their moment in the sun.
Wilko: High street chain collapsed owing £400m to creditors September 15, 2023 Wilko collapsed with a well over £400m gap in its finances, according to documents published on Companies House, including £157.3m owed to trade creditors. The reports, first published by The Grocer, show that the high street chain owed £411m to unsecured creditors, and a further £25.8m was owed to HMRC. Some of the creditors included [...]
British high street is not dead, minister insists after Wilko collapse September 14, 2023 The British high street is not dead but merely changing, ministers have insisted, after Labour accused the government of “giving up” on retail following the collapse of Wilko. Business minister Kevin Hollinrake insisted high street shopping is “reshaping itself”, as homeware shop the Range confirmed it will buy Wilko’s brand, website and intellectual property after [...]
Wilko brand set to be bought by The Range as carve up continues September 13, 2023 The Range is poised to buy the brand and intellectual property of Wilko, as the collapsed high street store continues to be carved up by competitors.
Poundland owner Pepco snaps up 71 Wilko sites after its collapse September 12, 2023 Poundland owners, Pepco, will acquire 71 Wilko sites to be transformed into Poundland chains. Yesterday, it was confirmed that all Wilko stores would vanish after a deal with HMV owner Doug Putman fell through due to over concerns about the costs of the retailer’s infrastructure. Rival discounter store chain B&M also bought 51 Wilko stores [...]
RIP Wilko: How another high street chain went to the wall September 11, 2023 After more than 90 years on the high street, Wilko and all its 400 stores will vanish by early October. Its 12,500 staff were hoping that HMV owner Doug Putman would be able to close a rescue deal that would see several hundred stores saved. But the Canadian entrepreneur abandoned talks with the high street [...]