Wilko will return to the UK high street in just a few weeks time, as the exact dates of three new store openings have been confirmed.
Two new stores in Plymouth and Exeter will open on December 1, and another in Luton will open on December 8. A further two shops will open before Christmas, with the exact locations and dates to be confirmed.
Wilko collapsed into administration in August this year, with more than 400 stores closed as a result. The Wilko name and intellectual property was later bought by The Range for a reported £5million, with its website having already been relaunched.
The Range has also separately selling Wilko branded goods, including home, garden, pet and lifestyle products, across its stores. CDS Superstores, trading as Wilko and The Range, had previously announced five new Wilko stores will open before Christmas.
More shops are set to open throughout 2024, including in Northern Ireland for the first time. The company is prioritising ex-Wilko employees for jobs in its new stores. Before its collapse, Wilko employed around 12,500 workers.
Administrators at PricewaterhouseCoopers were unable to find a buyer for the entire Wilko business, meaning its store leases and other assets had to be sold off in parts. Poundland has agreed to take on the leases of up to 71 Wilko shops, while B&M announced it will buy up to 51 Wilko stores.
CEO of CDS Superstores Alex Simpkin said: “It’s clear that there’s a huge love for Wilko and we’re proud to confirm we’ll be re-introducing the brand to high streets in Plymouth, Exeter and Luton in the coming weeks. We’re also glad to be bringing employment opportunities to these towns and for helping local families and communities have easy access to all the everyday home and garden items they need once again.
“This initial rollout is only the beginning for our plans for revitalising the Wilko brand on the nation’s high streets and retail parks, and we’ll be announcing further store launches and re-openings throughout 2024.”