Wilko announces chance to get free bag full of Wilko products – days to go until three stores open

Wilko will open five concept stores before Christmas, with three locations already announced

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Jessica Sheldon

By Jessica Sheldon


Published: 23/11/2023

- 12:23

Wilko announced it would open five concept stores before Christmas, in a boost for the High Street

Shoppers could scoop a bag packed full of Wilko products, the retailer has said, to celebrate three of its upcoming store openings.

Customers who visit one of the three Wilko stores confirmed to open in December could be in with a chance of getting the goody bag.


They will need to be fast though, as the prize will only be available to the first 50 customers in each location.

In a public event on Facebook, Wilko told shoppers: “If you're one of the first fifty people in our brand new store, you'll nab a goody bag filled with your favourite wilko products.”

Wilko store closing sign

Wilko closed all of its 400 stores last month but new concept stores will now open thanks to The Range owner

PA

The brand has posted an alert on X, formerly known as Twitter, telling customers it’s “not long to go now”.

The Range owner CDS Superstores agreed to buy the Wilko brand, website and intellectual property after it collapsed into administration in August.

While all Wilko stores closed down after administrators could not secure a rescue deal for the entire Wilko brand, The Range’s owner has since announced it will open five concept stores before Christmas, ahead of a wider roll out in 2024. The retailer also announced The Range will stock Wilko products in its stores.

The brand has confirmed the locations and opening dates for the first three sites.

  • Plymouth, which opens at Unit A, Armada Centre, Mayflower Street, Plymouth, PL1 1QL on December 1
  • Exeter, which opens at Unit 100, Guildhall Shopping Centre, Exeter, EX4 3HP on December 1
  • Luton, which opens at 141/147 Arndale Centre, Luton, LU1 2TN on December 8

The retailer said they’re planning to recruit up to 80 local team members per store and pledged to prioritise job interviews for ex-Wilko employees.

All 400 Wilko stores shut down between September and October, with 12,500 employees made redundant.

CEO of CDS Superstores, trading as wilko and The Range, Alex Simpkin said this month: “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.

Wilko store closing

Wilko said they would announce the final two locations which are set to open before Christmas soon

PA

“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.”

Wilko said they would announce the final two locations set to open before Christmas soon.

The stores will stock Wilko-brand products, alongside well-known brands, and self-service terminals which allow shoppers to browse and order from the 100,000 items available via the recently re-launched Wilko.com.

The initial pre-Christmas roll-out comes ahead of a programme of store openings throughout 2024, and will mark the first time in the brand’s history that Wilko stores arrive on high streets in Northern Ireland.

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