Poundland has hired 962 ex-Wilko employees as it continues to convert the retailer’s former locations amid its rapid expansion plans.
The discount chain said it had recruited 826 former employees to work in the 64 converted units it had re-opened, with a further 122 becoming the store managers or assistant store managers for its other stores.
Poundland added that it had also hired 14 former Wilko employees to join its main customer support centre in Walsall.
The retailer, which acquired 71 stores leases from Wilko’s administrator in September, said it expects to be able to open other new Poundlands in the former units next year.
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Poundland people director Simon Wells said: “I really want to thank the Poundland team for their extraordinary efforts in making so many roles available, so quickly, to those affected by the administration of Wilko.
““We know by keeping our promise to re-open former Wilko stores in such numbers, and at such pace, we’ve made a big difference to hundreds of people.
“We’re incredibly proud that so many former Wilko team members have now chosen to continue their careers here at Poundland.”
The retailer’s owner Pepco Group reported a 17.7% surge in sales to £4.8m for the year to 30 September on Tuesday, boosted by an 8.4% jump in its Poundland business.
The group, which posted a 34% drop in pre-tax profit to £174m, said it sees strong growth in the UK discount space in the year to come as it continues to open new stores.
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