WILKO is returning to another high street today meaning shoppers can browse shelves and bag a bargain just in time for Christmas.
The beloved retailer is opening its doors in a major location today with the unveiling of a brand-new store.
The chain has returned to The Pavillions Shopping Centre in Uxbridge, London, allowing locals enough time to grab their Christmas shopping and Black Friday Deals.
It is the seventh store that Wilko has opened since collapsing into administration in October last year.
With over 100,000 items for sale, the new store will now offer additional services to customers such as a Click and Collect station.
Today, the Uxbridge team is celebrating the launch by handing out goody bags and free gift bags to their first 50 customers.
Alex Simpkin, trading as The Range and Wilko, said: “Our expansion is about bringing Wilko back to the heart of communities, providing quality and value in every corner of the UK.
“We’ve had a great reception from customers in our six locations to date, and from wilko.com shoppers, and we’re thrilled to announce our reopening in Uxbridge, which also marks our return to Greater London too.”
Wilko collapsed into administration due to struggles with high rental costs and low foot fall.
The homeware store also faced competition from rivals such as B&M and Home Bargains.
At the beginning of 2023 the retailer attempted a turnaround plan and aimed to make significant cost savings in the wake of the pandemic.
However, while Wilko claimed it saw “real progress”, the chain was unable to improve its finances quickly enough to avoid insolvency.
Loyal customers were saddened to see the retailer go, calling it the “end of an era”.
And several bidders tried and failed to save the brand along with its stores and 12,500 staff, but most fell through.
In October, The Range owner Chris Dawson finally bought Wilko out of administration, telling Retail Gazette it was “all systems go”.
Since then stores have been opened across seven locations, with Uxbridge marking the seventh location to be reclaimed by the retailer.
Dawson stated he plans to open 300 stores over the next five years, with those which have been opened so far showing successful profit.
Here is the full list of Wilko stores on high streets
To keep track of which new Wilko stores are opening, you can visit the website and use the Store Locator tool.
This will show you which stores are closest to you.
However, if you can’t access one of the locations, you can also shop online.
The Wilko online store has been available for purchasing items since October last year.
It is currently offering its Black Friday sale, with some products slashed by as much as half price.
Bear in mind that items will cost a bit extra, as there will be a delivery fee.
Also remember to compare prices with other sites before you buy.
A great way to do this is by using the “sort by” tool to view “cheapest first” while browsing.
Or, you can use comparison sites like Trolley, which compares prices between sites for you.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save money on your Christmas shopping.
Limit the amount of presents – buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb.
Instead, why not organise a Secret Santa between your inner circles so you’re not having to buy multiple presents.
Plan ahead – if you’ve got the stamina and budget, it’s worth buying your Christmas presents for the following year in the January sales.
Make sure you shop around for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you’re not forking out more than you should though.
Buy in Boxing Day sales – some retailers start their main Christmas sales early so you can actually snap up a bargain before December 25.
Delivery may cost you a bit more, but it can be worth it if the savings are decent.
Shop via outlet stores – you can save loads of money shopping via outlet stores like Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts.
They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually any wear and tear is minor.
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