Wilko competitors consider bids for its estate

Wilko’s non-food market competitors Poundland, B&M, The Range and Home Bargains are reportedly among the companies looking to settle a deal to acquire the collapsed business, The Sun has reported.

The retailers have until tomorrow (Wednesday 16 August) to register their offers with PwC, Wilko’s administrator. 

It is understood that a shortlist will then be made, with second round bids to be submitted by this Friday (18 August).  

Some of the interested firms are reportedly looking to bid for as many as 300 of Wilko’s total of 400 stores. 

What’s more, The Sun even reported that one particular bidder would look to maintain the Wilko brand alive. 

This comes as private equity firms Gordon Brothers, Alteri and OpCapita registered an interest in acquiring Wilko prior to its official collapse into administration last Thursday. 

The retailer has been struggling to keep up with debts for quite some time and has also fallen behind its competition. 

However, all Wilko stores are currently trading since PwC was appointed last week, with no announced redundancies. The retailer is also moving forward with an administration sale across all stores. 

Poundland has declined to comment.