Aldi could begin employing workers from collapsed retail chain Wilko and take over its stores as part of its ongoing store expansion drive.
The German grocer is set to create more than 20,000 jobs as it targets another 500 store openings to take the total to 1,500 sites.
Speaking to the Mirror, UK and Ireland chief executive Giles Hurley said it could use Wilko stores and employ its old staff.
When the title asked if he was eyeing up the stores, Thurley said: “Clearly, with an ambitious target of 1,500 stores, we will look at all the opportunities. It comes down to the availability and suitability.”
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Following the news of Wilko’s collapse last month, Aldi called for staff affected by the news to get in touch, with over 6,000 jobs currently available across its UK stores.
Aldi hopes to offer these long-term retail roles to those who have lost their jobs, with a range of positions available from store assistant and caretaker to store manager.
B&M snapped up 51 Wilko stores earlier this week, and the discount retailer revealed it will be closing 52 stores, making more than 1,300 staff redundant as talks continue with potential buyers for the remainder of the business.
Administrator PwC said it was “actively working with potential buyers”, however the 52 stores set to close “do not form part of any ongoing interest in the Wilko store portfolio”.
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I just can’t believe what is happening in our Country, it’s terrifying. Wha an earth is this hopeless Government doing, we just see them jokingly sparring with the opposition at PM’s questions. They just don’t care about the Country. Why are we putting up with them.
You realise that the government doesn’t run privately-owned commerce, right?
The sad demise of Wilko is largely self-inflicted by the Wilkinson family, most notably its most recent incumbent, Lisa Wilkinson. Inept family ownership with leadership too weak to stand up to the family’s BS…
The Wilkinson family took in excess of *£77m* out of the ailing business over the last decade. They paid themselves multiple million pound dividends annually during the covid crisis as revenues fell and debts rose. They hurriedly sold their main distribution centre to rent it back this year for a staggering £50m below its market rate (the DCs new owner – DHL – sold it a few months later for a £40m profit). They also, according to many insiders – bizarrely – refused to acknowledge the likes of B&M, Home Bargains, Poundland, or Poundstretcher as competitors instead comparing themselves with premium retailers, like John Lewis. While few are stating its solely the Wilkinson family’s fault this state of affairs occurred, the vast majority the blame for their company’s failure lies solely with the current Wilkinson family’s business lead, Lisa Wilkinson.
The government doesn’t run privately owned commerce for sure but it is responsible for ensuring that corporate governance is suitably framed. There are clearly aspects of corporate governance that are not strict enough. Dividends and corporate asset disposal come to mind….
what more can we expect frm a tory? they have always been the same
what more can we expect frm a tory? they have always been the same
Massive overreaction to a discount store closing.
It’s not the government’s fault its the Internet.Times are changing, if you don’t adapt you close ,simples
We really have lost freedom of speech then!
No they won’t. They’re just using wilkos situation to boost interest in new store openings/ locations. Simple but effective media strategy/ marketing
Bingo! They are the masters of free PR. Few if any Wilko stores are suitable for Aldi.
Government has nothing to do with the collapse, Business acumen (or the lack of it) has everything to do with it, not even the normal internet excuse can be used here. Notice how the Wilkinson/Swan families made no effort to buy even part of the company back?
It’s the rent of all these shops that are disappearing one by one so many shops are closing there doors cos of large rent prices and wikos was such amazing shop now they are in administration whats the government doing notning just letting shops disappear bit like Woolworths nobody could save then can see all shops closing there doors and we’re having notning