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Wilko to expand new service to rival Aldi as it makes its return to high street – it’s perfect for shoppers on a budget
Watch our exclusive video tour around one of Wilko's new branches
WILKO is set to expand a new service that's perfect for shoppers on a budget and will no doubt rival big chains like Aldi.
The bargain chain unveiled Iceland freezers, usually found in The Range stores, at two of its branches as part of a trial.
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But Wilko has now confirmed that even more branches have started selling the supermarkets products.
Branches in Exeter, Luton and Plymouth have all become home to Iceland's frozen food range.
Shoppers in Poole will also be able to bag Iceland bargains from Wilko when the store opens late this year.
The trial began at Wilko stores in St Albans and Rotherham.
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Shoppers can raid the freezers to stock up on all of the classic Iceland ranges, including TGI Friday’s, Greggs and Slimming World.
The collaboration between Wilko and Iceland follows the supermarket's partnership with The Range, which are both owned by CDS supermarkets.
Alex Simpkin, CDS chief executive said: "For our wilko roll-out we’ve been keen to trial lots of new additions to enhance the shopper experience.
"Alongside all the great products our Wilko customers know and love we’ve added even more lines, new services and have expanded categories including food."
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The move will rival big-name supermarkets like Aldi, which is known for its own-brand frozen dupes of big name takeaway brands like McDonald's.
The Sun has asked Wilko for the exact dates Iceland will roll out at all of its stores.
What happened to Wilko?
In addition to its collaboration with Iceland, Wilko has also added a groceries section to its website, that is available through click and collect.
Shoppers can chose from canned and tinned goods, cereal, rice, pasta, noddles, home baking, and condiments and cooking ingredients.
The good news is that there is no minimum spend, so you can bag as much or as little as you like.
If you're thinking of using Wilko for your weekly shop, it's important to compare prices to make sure you are getting the best deal.
You can check where items are cheapest using which compares the prices of 130,000 products across 14 major supermarkets.
The also lets you search items and lets you compare prices at several supermarkets to see where it's cheaper.
What happened to Wilko
Here is a timeline of what happened to Wilko
- May 2021: Wilko full year pre-tax profits drop and sales decline £107m thanks to a “challenging retail landscape” in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis.
- January 2022: The retailer reveals plans to close 15 stores in 2022, putting hundreds of jobs on the line.
- September 2022: Supplier payments are deferred and extended in a bid to manage cash flow. Wilko asks landlords to pay its quarterly rent bill in monthly instalments as it conserves cash to stock up for Christmas.
- October 2022: The business drafts in advisers from Teneo as it tries to find ways to cut costs.
- Credit insurers Allianz Trade and Atradius withdraws cover for the firm.
- November 2022: Wilko tries to secure an emergency £30m cash injection as cost pressures intensify in the run-up to Christmas as managing director Alison Hands departs the business. The retailer posts a £36.8m loss in the year to January 29, 2022 in ‘incredibly difficult period’.
- December 2022: The company names Bensons for Beds boss Mark Jackson as its new CEO as talks continue over a refinancing.
- January 2023: Wilko secures a £40m lifeline from Homebase and Cath Kidston owner Hilco UK and tells suppliers it will no longer stock toys across its stores, as it focuses on selling garden and household goods.
- February 2023: The business reveals plans to axe over 400 jobs as it looks to control costs and shuffles its senior leadership team
- May 2023: Wilko considers launching a CVA to cut rent costs and potentially close stores
- June 2023: The retailer hires property agent CBRE to help negotiate lower rents as PwC lined up to manage a CVA.
- July 2023: The business looks to secure fresh funding as its owners consider selling a controlling stake Hilco agrees to lend about £5m in additional funding to Wilko as it faces an intensifying cash squeeze.
- August 2023: Wilko appoints PwC as administrator, potentially putting 12,000 jobs at risk.
- September 2023: Poundland swooped in to snap up 71 Wilko stores while administrators sold up to 51 Wilko stores to rival B&M. PwC agree the sale of the retailer’s brand name and intellectual property to The Range in a £5million deal.
- October 2023: All Wilko stores close and disappear from the high street. Wilko reveals that its online shop is back. Wilko shops announced to return too.
- December 2023: First Wilko stores return in Exeter and Plymouth
It comes after Wilko unveiled a host of new services, including its first-ever kitchen collection, click and collect and order points, where shoppers can browse the catalogue and order whatever they like to be delivered to the store or their home.
WILKOME BACK
Wilko is slowly rebuilding its presence on high streets after collapsing into administration in August 2023 and closing all of its 400 stores.
Following several failed rescue bids, fellow bargain chain The Range bought Wilko's name and intellectual property.
Wilko's website relaunched shortly after the sale went through and began selling classic Wilko products in the former's stores.
Then, in late November, the retailer shocked fans by announcing that physical stores would also be making a comeback.
By December, three shops were open in Plymouth, Exeter, and Luton.
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In March, a further two sites opened in St Albans and Rotherham.
The Sun was recently invited to take an exclusive tour of the new Wilko in in The Maltings shopping centre in St Albans.
How to bag a bargain
SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain...
Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with.
Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks.
Sales are when you can pick up a real steal.
Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on.
Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use and are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer.
Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping.
Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out.
And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
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