Morrisons has launched a new DIY aisle in partnership with Wilko, starting at its Speke store in Liverpool and set to expand to over 20 UK supermarkets this year as part of CEO Rami Baitieh's strategy to create 'one-stop shops'. The DIY aisle offers a range of products including paint, decorating tools, household essentials, and car care items, with specific brands like Tough & Washable emulsions and One-Coat Gloss. A Morrisons spokesperson said the company is pleased to have launched the new Wilko concession in its Speke store, marking the start of an exciting new partnership, and is looking forward to rolling it out to further stores later in the year.
The exact timeline for the rollout to over 20 stores and which specific locations beyond Speke will receive the aisle this year have not been disclosed. This move follows recent store changes, including closures of 52 cafes, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters, and four pharmacies last March, and new additions like sushi and Korean food counters in partnership with KellyDeli in November, pure water stations with Spotless Water in some car parks, and a Hot Cross Bun Loaf. Jack Nicholls, Market Street Development and Operations Manager at Morrisons, described the Hot Cross Bun Loaf as bigger, juicier, and packed with even more flavour, and perfect for sharing with the whole family around the table.
How the closure of cafes, florists, and counters has impacted Morrisons' overall business performance, as well as sales expectations or customer feedback for the new DIY aisle and Hot Cross Bun Loaf, remain unknown.