A FAILING fashion retailer has announced its final discounts ahead of closing half of its stores for good.
Wilkies’ final clearance sale, which began on August 15, has discounts across all departments rising from 20 to 50 per cent off marked prices.
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The fashion and homeware chain will pull down the shutters for good on half of its shops after its parent company went into administration.
The family-run retailer has 11 stores across Scotland and five will close in the coming months.
Wilkies Limited appointed administrators from Interpath Advisory in June after struggling financially.
Administrators said the stores would only remain open to sell off all remaining stock.
The company faced challenging trading conditions as energy costs soared and labour costs increased amid the cost of living crisis.
And sales hadn’t recovered to pre-pandemic levels in some of its locations, meaning it faced significant losses.
Six out of 11 of the company’s stores have now been sold to a new company, Wilkies Trading Limited, saving a total of 55 jobs.
However, the remaining five were not included in the sale and will shut its doors for good.
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Despite a similar name Wilkies is not connected to Wilko which is also struggling to stay afloat.
Here is the list of shops set to close:
- Morningside, Edinburgh
- Station Hill, North Berwick
- Quarry Street, Hamilton
- Newmarket Street, Falkirk
- High Street, Kirkcaldy
Here is the full list of shops that were saved by the sale:
- Bath Street, Largs
- King Street, Castle Douglas
- High Street, Peebles
- John Street, Perth
- Ballater
- West Clyde Street, Helensburgh
Karen Forret, managing director of Wilkies, said previously: “We are proud to keep the Wilkies brand alive and to have saved as many jobs as possible.
“Business rates in Scotland are nearly 75 per dent higher than everywhere else in the UK, but we believe our High Streets still have so much to offer, and are vital to our communities and economy.
“We are passionate to continue to drive this great Scottish brand forward, and open our doors to customers on the High Streets of Largs, Castle Douglas, Peebles, Perth, Ballater and Helensburgh.
Alistair McAlinden, head of Interpath Advisory in Scotland, added: “Wilkies is a familiar name to many, so we are pleased to have been able to conclude this deal which will see the brand continue to be a part of high streets within Scotland.
“We’re also pleased to have been able to safeguard 55 jobs as part of the transaction.
“We wish the new owners every success.”
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