Eight job losses expected as Dundee department store Wilkies to close

Eight staff will lose their jobs when Dundee department store Wilkies closes early next year.

The shop has been trading on Dundee’s Cowgate for 11 years but following high running costs and a drop in footfall after Covid-19, shop owners have announced it will close in the new year.

The Scottish family-owned business specialises in clothing, footwear and kitchenware.

Wilkies boss says ‘costs are higher than sales’ in Dundee store

Eight employees are expected to lose their jobs but positions will be offered in other stores if they are available.

Wilkies owner and managing director, Karen Forret, said: “Sadly, we cannot continue to operate in stores where costs are higher than sales and must use all of our efforts to ensure we can navigate the rest of the business through the current exceptionally tough trading environment.

“Our costs in Dundee have always been higher than most other outlets with business rates higher than all but one of our other locations.”

“We have also found fewer customers coming back to shop our city centre locations post-covid, and with extra pressures on household incomes during the current cost of living crisis.

“Footfall is unlikely to improve, despite our best efforts to continue to evolve and bring in new brands and departments to the location.

“The decision to close our Dundee store has not been taken lightly and we are deeply saddened to be leaving the premises at 19 Cowgate.”

Another blow to Dundee’s retail scene

The closure is another blow to Dundee’s city centre, following behind a number of fashion chains closing in recent years.

Last year, the city suffered the loss of retail giant Debenhams after the business fell into administration.

And in 2020, locals were left “gobsmacked” after fashion chain, Zara, announced the closure of it’s popular Dundee High Street store.

Wilkies also joins several other Tayside businesses that have been forced to close due to the cost of living crisis.

All other Wilkies stores in Scotland, including Kirkcaldy and Perth, will remain open.

Karen said: “I would like to thank our wonderful staff for all their hard work over the years, we have a fabulous team in Dundee and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time – we will look to offer roles where we have them in other stores.

“I would also like to thank our customers in Dundee and the surrounding areas who have supported us greatly over the years, it has been a pleasure to serve you and I hope that we may see you in our other stores close by such as Perth and Kirkcaldy, or shopping with us online.”

The store will be holding a closing down sale to clear all stock before shutting early next year.