Wilko shoppers left devastated and ‘in hell’ as chain faces collapse putting 400 stores at risk of closing
WILKO shoppers say they are ‘in hell’ following news the high street giant is on the brink of administration.
The bargain retailer filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators yesterday, putting all of its 400 stores at risk of closing.
The discount store, which employs around 12,000 people, is a beloved name on the high street for the vast array of bargain homewares and household essentials it sells.
Fans of the store particularly love its pic n mix selection, where you can grab a regular cup of sweets for just £2.
But like many other retailers, Wilko is said to have seen a big drop in footfall over the last few years, with shoppers cutting back on spending due to soaring inflation.
High energy costs and a shift towards shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll on the high street.
Devastated shoppers have flooded social media with love for the bargain store.
One person said on Twitter: “Devastated at the news of Wilko’s looming collapse. I could genuinely spend hours in there just walking around looking at assorted cheap homeware, it’s my happy place.”
Another fan said: “Can’t believe Wilko is going into administration, this is hell.”
More than one person said they “fell to their knees” after learning the retailer is on the brink of collapse.
One Twitter user said of the news: “Just dropped to my knees, please tell me this isn’t happening”.
Another commented: “If Wilko collapses, I might collapse,” while another said: “I’ll be gutted if Wilko collapses – brilliant store.”
The latest news comes as Wilko’s owners were said to be exploring the sale of a controlling stake just last month.
Wilko’s chief executive Mark Jackson said there has been “significant levels of interest” but that the business has not yet received an offer.
The retailer has therefore had to make the “difficult decision to file an NOI [notice of intention].”
A notice of intention gives Wilko a ten-day window to secure a deal while protected from action by other creditors.
The store will continue to trade as normal for now and administration doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the business.
Administrators will instead try to help the company find ways to repay its debts and solve its cashflow issues.
Shoppers are now begging for the retailer to be rescued.
One fan said: “Somebody please save Wilko. It’s one of the best places to mindlessly walk around and inspect Autumn-themed homeware.”
“Someone please save Wilko I beg, no other high street store is remotely as useful,” another pleaded on Twitter.
We have put together a full list of towns and cities where Wilko stores are at risk of closure.
Wilko isn’t the only big name with hundreds of stores at risk. Last month, pharmacy giant Boots revealed it is closing 300 of its 2,200 stores.
And shops aren’t the only ones affected – cinema chain Cineworld entered administration at the end of July.
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