What's happening to Wilko stores as The Range agrees on brand deal

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Wilko's future has been hanging in the balance after the homeware retailer fell into administration in August. A number of stores have already shut down, with more to cease trading by the end of Thursday (September 14).

Others are to be sold off to competitors and rebranded. The family-owned business employed 12,500 staff and ran 400 shops before it hired administrators early last month after it came under pressure from weak consumer spending and debts to suppliers.

Administrators at PwC have sought to sell off Wilko’s assets in recent weeks, including its brand and shops, after failing to secure a rescue deal for the whole business. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features. More than 10,000 further Wilko workers are set to lose their jobs by next month as a result.

All of Wilko’s 400 shops will close by early October, according to administrators from PwC. However Wilko’s name will not disappear from high streets for good following a deal struck with The Range, which will see it buy Wilko’s brand, website and intellectual property.