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Wilkinson (sometimes informally Wilko, Wilks, Billy Wilks or Wilky’s) is a British high-street discount chain with over 300 stores, selling primarily homewares and household goods. Founded in the 1930s as Wilkinson Cash Stores by James Kemsey Wilkinson, the company has remained largely in the hands of the founding family since. When chairman Tony Wilkinson, the son of the founder, retired as Chairman after 45 years in 2005, he was replaced by his niece, Karin Swann, and his daughter, Lisa Wilkinson
The Wilkinson product range concentrates on household essentials, including homewares, textiles, DIY, cleaning products, health and beauty lines, stationery, confectionery, pet products and kitchen and bathroom goods. A large proportion of the range is made up of own-label products sold under the Wilko brand. Seasonal ranges are introduced on a rotational basis, with garden tools and plants in summer and Christmas decorations from September to January. Toys are now a permanent addition to the seasonal line, however, the company does increase the number of toys during the Christmas period. During 2007 the company introduced a grocery range and a "food to go" offering in some larger stores. In November 2007, the company opened its first convenience style store. The first Wilkinson store was opened in Leicester in 1930, increasing to a total of nine branches by 1940; the Beaconsfield store can be seen in the background in the 1945 film Brief Encounter. By the end of the 1980s Wilkinson had a total of 78 stores, increasing to over 150 by the time of the founder’s death in 1997. Wilkinson opened their first Scottish outlet in Castle Douglas on 23 January 2009 in a store formerly occupied by The Co-operative Group. Stores were subsequently opened in Scotland that same year in Motherwell on 17th July, in Irvine in November and in Clydebank on 2 December. During 2010, the latest stores planned for Scotland set to open are Hamilton, Kilmarnock, Greenock and Livingston. By October 2009, Wilkinson had a total of 359 stores nationwide, with stores averaging in excess of 17,000 sq ft (1,600 m), and employed over 22,000 people. The company has two distribution centres:
Wilkinson’s advertising is concentrated in the press, such as through inserts included with local newspapers. Advertising emphasises value for money, with in-store promotion encouraging customers to purchase more than one item when they visit the store. A revamped version of the Wilkinson brand was unveiled in 2008. Designed by Jupiter Creative, the brand was showcased in new format stores in Thornaby, Sheffield, Leicester, Newton Aycliffe and Walton-on-Thames, as well as the Castle Douglas , Motherwell & Clydebank stores in Scotland. Elements of the new brand have since been phased in more widely, including point-of-sale materials, carrier bags and a relaunched website. Stores in Nottingham and Retford have also recently been converted to the new One Touch format. 
A high-street Wilkinson store. .png)
The Wilkinson store in Banbury. 
A 9v Wilko battery. Batteries are among the range goods they sell. Other products include packed food-to-go, super glue, bags of compost and bird food. Wilkinson (sometimes informally Wilko, Wilks, Billy Wilks or Wilky’s) is a British high-street discount chain with over 300 stores, selling primarily homewares and household goods. Founded in the 1930s as Wilkinson Cash Stores by James Kemsey Wilkinson, the company has remained largely in the hands of the founding family since. When chairman Tony Wilkinson, the son of the founder, retired as Chairman after 45 years in 2005, he was replaced by his niece, Karin Swann, and his daughter, Lisa Wilkinson.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia : Household goods stores generally range |
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