Wilko is a privately owned, value-led mixed goods retailer with around 420 UK stores. It offers its customers products that aim to “keep a busy home running smoothly”.
Originally trading as Wilkinson Hardware Stores, in 2014 the retailer completed a multichannel restructuring of the business and rebranded it as Wilko. Click-and-collect has been rolled out across the entire network and Argos-style customer order points introduced.
Wilko is investing in an agile workforce, interactive website and a seamless experience across online and offline channels.
Getting the digital proposition right has become a key priority at Wilko, which is not an easy feat for a value-led retailer and, despite major investment in improving its multichannel credentials, Wilko has continued to battle with high fulfilment costs.
Wilko stands firmly by its values, which include “pull together”, “respect each other” and “make it fun”.
It’s a difficult time for anyone employed in retail, and thoughts are with those who have already lost their job or face an anxious wait to see if it still exists as bosses pick through the wreckage caused by Covid-19.
Wilko has appointed former Specsavers finance director Karen Mackay as its new chief financial officer, Retail Week can reveal.
Wilko has reported a slide in full-year pre-tax profits and a fall in sales, which it attributed to the “challenging” UK retail environment, Retail Week can reveal.
Wilko is set to remove sick day payment for its warehouse and shop floor staff after their second absence within a year.
B&M has snapped up general merchandise competitor Wilko’s chief financial officer Alex Russo for the same role at its own business.
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