Wilko staff have been offered a lifeline by rival retail firms after it was announced that their chain had collapsed. Home Bargains and Dunelm state that they want to give support and new opportunities to those who fear for their jobs after the chain's CEO announced it had appointed administrators.
Every one of Wilko's UK stores is at risk including more than a dozen in Wales. After the chain filed notice of intention to appoint administrators a week ago, CEO Mark Jackson said on Thursday, August 10: "We left no stone unturned when it came to preserving this incredible business but must concede that, with regret, we’ve no choice but to take the difficult decision to enter into administration."
North Wales Live reports that all 400 shops are currently continuing to trade as usual. However, there are concerns over the future of the chain, including 12,000 jobs.
Read more: Shoppers at city Wilko want to 'cry' and speak of sadness after chain goes into administration
However, rival high street retailers have stated that they offer their support and job opportunities to Wilko workers. Home Bargains said on its LinkedIn platform: "We are saddened to hear of the news about Wilko and are thinking of all the colleagues who are affected. We’d like to offer our support and are currently recruiting across retail, distribution and head office functions.
"Please feel free to get in touch or search for available opportunities near you via our careers page: https://lnkd.in/digAdc9q "
Dunelm wrote on the platform: "We'd like to offer our immediate support and bring to your attention some fantastic opportunities we are currently offering in our retail, head office and distribution."
The Sun also reported that discount stationer The Works said it would "guarantee an interview if there's a role available" for all Wilko staff. The rival retail giants received praise from shoppers on social media for offering support. One Facebook user said: "I'm a Wilko employee, it's such a nice gesture and greatly appreciated."
While another said: "This is so uplifting for the staff to know there is help and people do really care and they are not alone. So heartwarming." And a third wrote: "So nice to see other companies wanting to help - good luck to all staff affected."
NWL reports that there is hope that the majority of the stores could be saved as two discount chains and financial backers are said to have expressed interest in buying the chain. Former Wilko boss Gordon Brown told the BBC that he believes a buyer will swoop in to save parts of the company, but "it will be different from Wilko as we know it, or used to know it".
In an emotional letter thanking staff, customers and partners, CEO Mr Jackson wrote: "We’ve a history steeped in serving customers and communities going back to 1930. Our founder JK Wilkinson started with a single hardware shop in Leicester and for over 90 years busy, hard-working families have come to us to get their household and garden jobs done quickly, simply and at the best value prices possible."
Regular Wilko customers have expressed their sadness about the news online and shoppers at the Cardiff Queen Street branch said they were "very sad" to be losing another "iconic" store. Some also compared the news to the loss of Woolworths.
Many chain brands have left Cardiff's high streets, with House of Fraser (formerly Howells) closing its doors in March. In Carmarthen, there are fears of another big loss following the departures of Topshop, Debenhams, H&M, River Island and other key stores since 2020. You can read more here.
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiVWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LndhbGVzb25saW5lLmNvLnVrL25ld3Mvcml2YWwtcmV0YWlsZXJzLW9mZmVyLWxpZmVsaW5lLWRldmFzdGF0ZWQtMjc1MTAyODDSAQA?oc=5
2023-08-12 16:34:49Z
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