Wilko controversies

Wilko collapse and owner withdrawals scrutiny

The 2023 administration prompted scrutiny of Wilko's financial position, including reported debt of £625 million, a £50 million pension deficit and reports that approximately £77 million had been taken out of the company by its owners over the preceding decade.

Wilko apologises over hot sauce label

Company response

Wilko apologised over the label on a hot sauce bottle after Nathan Pritchard and Neil Thomson criticised the sauce as distasteful. The retailer said it recognised that the label may cause upset. The apology concerned the labelling of the hot sauce product, which the two critics described as distasteful.