Poundland to save lots of 71 Wilko outlets in last-minute deal and rebrand them beneath personal identify
The low cost retailer isn’t capable of assure that each one staff at these areas can have jobs on the new Poundland outlets, however mentioned it might “prioritise” the recruitment of ex-Wilko staff.
The leases for the outlets are anticipated to switch to Poundland within the “early autumn”, including to the greater than 800 current Poundland outlets.
The outlets are “largely in locations in which [Poundland] has limited presence”.
Poundland managing director Barry Williams mentioned: “In the coming weeks we will work quickly with landlords so we can open these stores as Poundlands with the new ranges that have been pivotal to our recent development.
“And once that process is complete, we will ensure a significant number of the Wilko colleagues will join our Poundland team.
“We know how valued Wilko colleagues have been in scores of communities across the UK and we look forward to offering them opportunities to join our family.
“We recognise the last few weeks have been difficult for them and we will move quickly to secure new consents from landlords so we can offer them the certainty they deserve.
“The Wilko stores will accelerate our existing transformation programme, offering amazing value for consumers, providing growth opportunities for suppliers and supporting employment in the high streets, shopping centres and retail parks customers love.”
It comes a day after directors revealed 9,100 Wilko employees would lose their jobs, as talks with HMV owner Doug Putman to save the Wilko brand name and around 200 shops collapsed.
Rival discounter B&M can also be set to purchase simply over 50 shops, in a £13 million deal.