Wilko, a prominent high street retailer with a significant presence in Harrow, has announced plans to appoint administrators, putting approximately 12,000 jobs at risk.
Wilko’s outlets in St George’s in Harrow Town Centre and on Watford High Street have long been popular destinations for shoppers seeking household and garden essentials. However, with the latest announcement from the company’s Chief Executive, Mark Jackson, locals are left to wonder what lies ahead for the stores.
In January, Wilko embarked on a turnaround program aimed at revitalising the struggling business. This included restructuring the senior team and devising a strategic plan to stabilise operations before implementing a growth strategy.
“We’re in the early stages of the turnaround, and, as is usual, the directors continue to explore all options for Wilko’s long-term future,” stated Mark Jackson. He expressed confidence that, with the right actions, Wilko could remain a prominent fixture on the British high street, bolstering its omnichannel approach to cater to customer needs effectively.
The statement added: “We continue to believe that our robust turnaround plan, with significant re-stabilisation cost savings in progress, will deliver a profitable Wilko and maximise the significant opportunities that we know exist. We’re a £1.2billion turnover business with strong presence on UK high streets through our 400 stores, online at wilko.com and through our great value Wilko own brand products, serving local communities with their everyday household and garden needs for over 90 years.”
However, the announcement of a potential administration has raised concerns among employees and customers alike. The prospect of losing 12,000 jobs is distressing for the Wilko workforce and has cast a shadow over the local economy.
