Wilko, on the brink of collapse :(
Discussion
I've always like Wilko but they've been in a spiral of decline. They overexpanded in adding stores on retail parks and keeping their expensive High Street stores. Then there was the rise of B&M and Home Bargains who were significantly cheaper and offered more range. When they first had money problems, manufacturers wouldn't give them credit and this led to empty shelves.
I find them useful and have got some good stuff in there before (a lot of their stock is tat)
For the last couple of years I’ve noticed that they don’t have enough to stock the shelves, so items have been 12 wide rather than 2, to make it look stocked
Xmas lights are not reduced and still on shelves in April
Sad times for staff
For the last couple of years I’ve noticed that they don’t have enough to stock the shelves, so items have been 12 wide rather than 2, to make it look stocked
Xmas lights are not reduced and still on shelves in April
Sad times for staff
Always liked them for paint - don’t know who makes their “own brand” stuff but it’s really good compared with other budget paint and varnish.
Another blow for the really nice bit of architecture that’s our town centre shopping mall - adds to the list of M&S and others who’ve moved out over the last five years or so.
Another blow for the really nice bit of architecture that’s our town centre shopping mall - adds to the list of M&S and others who’ve moved out over the last five years or so.
vikingaero said:
I've always like Wilko but they've been in a spiral of decline. They overexpanded in adding stores on retail parks and keeping their expensive High Street stores. Then there was the rise of B&M and Home Bargains who were significantly cheaper and offered more range. When they first had money problems, manufacturers wouldn't give them credit and this led to empty shelves.
This is it, exactly. They seemed to take a wrong turn around 10-15 years ago, almost exactly when Home Bargains and B&M emerged. It is a shame, but of their own doing. Pity.
We have a store in walking distance and it’s proved to be handy but have noticed of late the bare shelves and thinking the worse was around the corner. Was in retail management yonks ago and it’s obvious looking in their stores that the business was in distress.
Always thought that following the Woolworths model of trying to do everything but doing nothing particularly well was a shaky foundation.
Feel for the staff but they should hopefully find shop work elsewhere quick enough.
We have a store in walking distance and it’s proved to be handy but have noticed of late the bare shelves and thinking the worse was around the corner. Was in retail management yonks ago and it’s obvious looking in their stores that the business was in distress.
Always thought that following the Woolworths model of trying to do everything but doing nothing particularly well was a shaky foundation.
Feel for the staff but they should hopefully find shop work elsewhere quick enough.
Octoposse said:
Always liked them for paint - don’t know who makes their “own brand” stuff but it’s really good compared with other budget paint and varnish.
Another blow for the really nice bit of architecture that’s our town centre shopping mall - adds to the list of M&S and others who’ve moved out over the last five years or so.
True - used them for paint, primer and also wood oils. Well priced and good qualityAnother blow for the really nice bit of architecture that’s our town centre shopping mall - adds to the list of M&S and others who’ve moved out over the last five years or so.
Main issue is that they are always high street based with the hassle and parking costs that go with it, not to mention carrying bags of paint and other heavy items down the high street back to the car.
There is always a B&M or Home Bargains on a small estate with easy and free parking. Having said that I have never tried their paint etc
Woolworths went under in 2008, Wilko was the modern version of Woolworths. 15 years on it looks like they are going the same way.
To be honest the writing has been on the wall for a while, they have struggled to have stock on a lot of their shelves for a while now. They lost the right to sell lottery tickets at the end of 2022, I am sure the National Lottery knew what was coming.
It's strange as they were one of the few shops allowed to open during lockdown so you think that would have helped. We used to go for massive walks every day and often used to pop in there for a look around for a slice of normality.
Rarely bought anything though, I guess ultimately that was the problem.
To be honest the writing has been on the wall for a while, they have struggled to have stock on a lot of their shelves for a while now. They lost the right to sell lottery tickets at the end of 2022, I am sure the National Lottery knew what was coming.
It's strange as they were one of the few shops allowed to open during lockdown so you think that would have helped. We used to go for massive walks every day and often used to pop in there for a look around for a slice of normality.
Rarely bought anything though, I guess ultimately that was the problem.
Why did they change their name from Wilkinsons?
Used to have one that was just outside the city centre, but the closed it down and moved into a mall in the centre, stopped doing a lot of the DIY stuff and concentrated on household things like glasses, cookware, soft furnishings. They used to be quite cheap but the last time I been into the store was about two years ago, it wasn't cheap.
Used to have one that was just outside the city centre, but the closed it down and moved into a mall in the centre, stopped doing a lot of the DIY stuff and concentrated on household things like glasses, cookware, soft furnishings. They used to be quite cheap but the last time I been into the store was about two years ago, it wasn't cheap.
Joey Deacon said:
Woolworths went under in 2008, Wilko was the modern version of Woolworths. 15 years on it looks like they are going the same way.
To be honest the writing has been on the wall for a while, they have struggled to have stock on a lot of their shelves for a while now. They lost the right to sell lottery tickets at the end of 2022, I am sure the National Lottery knew what was coming.
It's strange as they were one of the few shops allowed to open during lockdown so you think that would have helped. We used to go for massive walks every day and often used to pop in there for a look around for a slice of normality.
Rarely bought anything though, I guess ultimately that was the problem.
I heard that they were failing to pay their suppliers during lockdown, hence why the shelves are bare as companies decided not to stock with them anymore. To be honest the writing has been on the wall for a while, they have struggled to have stock on a lot of their shelves for a while now. They lost the right to sell lottery tickets at the end of 2022, I am sure the National Lottery knew what was coming.
It's strange as they were one of the few shops allowed to open during lockdown so you think that would have helped. We used to go for massive walks every day and often used to pop in there for a look around for a slice of normality.
Rarely bought anything though, I guess ultimately that was the problem.
I’ve noticed B&M also seem to be struggling. If the housing market slows right down and people stop moving they will suffer also.
One up the road from my place, usually empty of customers. The trouble is, they're located in the town centre with pay & display rip-off parking, so most punters drive another couple of miles to out of town shopping where there is Homebase, Machine Mart & various other options, all served by a massive free carpark.
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