Another major supermarket reveals it could take over Wilko stores in huge expansion & encourages workers to apply now
ANOTHER major supermarket has revealed it could take over Wilko sites as part of a huge expansion and has encouraged workers to apply now.
With 400 stores set to be closed down by next month, one more retailer has joined Poundland, B&M, and Aldi with plans to take over several former sites.
Lidl boss Ryan McDonnell revealed his property team was in “close contact” with Wilko’s administrator about potentially snapping up some of its old stores.
The German discount retailer was reportedly “very, very active” in its new store acquisition programme, he added, according to Retail Week.
But although nothing was confirmed with Wilko, the discounter was “certainly always interested in looking at properties where they meet our requirements”.
Lidl said: “Our teams attended their [Wilko’s] internal careers fair last week and were the only Discounter there.
“Following this, traffic to our careers site has increased by 15% which highlights how much interest there is from Wilko’s colleagues in Lidl roles that are currently available.
“You might have seen our release last week announcing our latest pay rate increase this month”.
Lidl opened 50 stores in the year to February 28, 2023, and wants to reach a 1,100-store empire by the end of 2025.
Lidl’s interest in Wilko follows Aldi confirming it could take over a number of stores and encouraging workers to apply for jobs.
Giles Hurley, UK and Ireland chief executive of Aldi, said the business could rescue branches as part of its own expansion plans.
The discounter is set to create thousands of jobs and open 500 stores in the coming years.
The retailer currently runs 990 branches in the UK, but has plans to bring the total number of its catalogue to 1,500.
In a hint Aldi could take on Wilko stores, Mr Hurley said: “Clearly, with an ambitious target of 1,500 stores, we will look at all the opportunities.
“It comes down to the availability and suitability.”
Aldi also recently urged Wilko staff to apply for any one of its 6,000 current vacancies.
Wilko collapsed into administration last month, putting its 400 stores and 12,000 jobs at risk.
Today, Wilko pulled the shutters on 28 shops – with the 90-year-old retailer already shutting down 24 branches this week, with a further 124 to close next week.
Administrators confirmed today they have agreed on the sale of the retailer’s brand name to The Range in a £5million deal.
The deal will see the Wilko website reopen in October after all shops shut for good, and the brand name will also live on.
On Tuesday, Poundland swooped in to snap up 71 Wilko stores and said former workers will be first in line for new jobs.
The discount chain said that it will rebrand the stores and have them ready for Christmas trading.
On Sunday, September 17, 38 stores will close across the country followed by another 38 on the following Tuesday.
Later next week on September 21, a further 47 stores will shut their doors for good.
Timings for the shuttering of the remaining stores will be announced in due course.
Make sure to keep up to date with the latest on Wilko on our live blog.