01 January 2023 , 09:34
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Wilko has decided to stop selling lottery tickets in the New Year.
The high street retailer says to continue would "require a significant investment" and it no longer considers the service a priority.
Signs confirming the change as of yesterday have appeared across UK stores, with the firm saying it is a "smart choice" for business.
Instead, Wilko will be investing in "supporting" its staff as well as delivering "great value products at great prices".
A spokesperson said: "Our focus is continuing to invest in becoming the best everyday household and garden retailer we can be.
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"Our customers come to us for great value products at great prices when they need them and right now, we're making smart choices to trade a business.
What do you think about the decision? Let us know in the comments
Wilko will no longer be selling lottery tickets (Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)"Continuing to offer the Lottery in our stores moving forward would require a significant investment that, right now, isn’t a priority and is better spent on improving our customer proposition and supporting team members."
The store said that it had begun its "journey with the National Lottery" to raise money for good causes, reports BirminghamLive.
But said it had since introduced its "own charities strategy" that raises up to £10,000 a week for charity.
The store now invests in different charitable causes (Universal Images Group via Getty Images)Wilko added: "We’ve designed our own charities strategy including the recent introduction of 'Pennies' and are raising more money than ever, direct for charities supported by the wilko 'Together for Families' programme; Save the Children, Alzheimer’s Society and Teenage Cancer Trust.
"Over the last four years we’ve raised over £2M and now with Pennies we're providing direct support at a time when charities need it more than ever and our customers’ generous donations regularly peak at £10,000 per week."
Wilkinsons has been running since 1930 when it was founded by James Kemsey Wilkinson as a hardware store in Leicester. The founder's family still own the business today.
The Mirror has contacted Wilko for further comment.