Poundland has yet to agree a deal with landlords on over 15 ex-Wilko stores that it planned to reopen under its own brand.
The discount retailer has been renegotiating with landlords to line up back-to-back rent deals on the 71 Wilko shops it agreed to take on in September.
It has rapidly re-opened 56 of the former outlets so far, re-employing many former Wilko workers, but has not secured an agreement for over 15 due to landlords not engaging to aerated concrete in the buildings, The Grocer reported.
Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest news straight into your inbox each morning
Poundland has offered jobs to more than 700 ex-Wilko employees after it said it would prioritise them in the recruitment process for the new locations.
The discount retailer revealed late last month it was embarking on its largest three-month growth programme in its history as it targeted 79 new branches for the quarter.
Poundland rivals B&M and The Range also struck rescue deals for the collapsed retailer after it plunged into administration in August.
B&M took on 51 of the fallen retailer’s sites. It plans to convert these stores “steadily” over the next 12 months.
The Range snapped up Wilko’s website and intellectual property for £5m. Earlier this month, it revealed the collapsed retailer would return to the high street with three stores set to open before Christmas.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
