Poundstretcher is looking to take over former Wilko stores while PureGym has since said it is no longer interested in the sites, Retail Week has learned.
A property expert told Retail Week Poundstretcher is eyeing up numerous former Wilko sites across the country, with particular interest in the South East of England.
Poundstretcher has around 350 UK stores, and it is unknown which locations the retailer is considering.
A rescue deal for the entire Wilko business has not been achieved, but rival retailers B&M and Poundland have so far snapped up more than 120 Wilko stores between them while The Range has bought the Wilko brand, website and intellectual property.
Dunelm is reportedly looking to acquire sites, while Lidl and Aldi have said they want to snap up Wilko stores to help with their expansion drive.
With more than 200 stores still unaccounted for, the property expert said he also expects to see some vacant Wilko stores become hubs for leisure and entertainment due to the expansive size of some of the sites.
All Wilko stores will be closed by October 8 and around 10,000 staff have been made redundant, but Poundland has promised to prioritise recruiting former Wilko staff.
The Original Factory Shop was also linked to the potential purchase of Wilko stores, but declined to comment. The retailer has since reached out and confirmed that it will not buy any Wilko sites as they are “the wrong size” for Tofs estate.
Tofs has been on an expansion drive recently as it was reported in August that the value retailer has taken over 16 former M&Co sites.
Retail Week has reached out to Poundstretcher and PureGym for comment.
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