Poundland has not yet reached an agreement with the landlords of more than 15 former Wilko sites, which it had intended to reopen under its own brand.
The discounter has been renegotiating terms with former Wilko landlords to line up back-to-back rent deals on the 71 stores it made a deal for in August.
However, according to The Grocer, Poundland has yet to agree a deal for 15 of the units, for a range of reasons including landlords not engaging with the retailer or aerated concrete being present in the building.
The discount retailer revealed late last month that it was starting its biggest three-month expansion plan yet, targeting 75 new branches for the quarter.
Poundland has opened 56 stores in five weeks, taking on more than 700 Wilko staff to date.
A Poundland spokesperson told Retail Week: “We’re very proud of opening 56 Wilko stores in just a few weeks, giving over 700 former Wlko colleagues the chance to join the Poundland team. It goes without saying we remain open to discussions with landlords for other Wilko stores.”
A number of rescue deals were bid by Poundland, B&M and The Range in the summer, but the collapsed retailer’s estate was eventually sold off in parcels.
B&M snapped up 51 stores and The Range purchased the brand, ecommerce operations and intellectual property for £5m.
The Range revealed earlier this month that it planned to bring Wilko back to the high street, with three stores set to open before the end of the year.
B&M is yet to open any of the stores it obtained lease options for.
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