View source for Woolworths (United Kingdom)

{{short description|British retail company (1909–2009)}}
{{about|the former British company|other retailers of similar name|Woolworth (disambiguation){{!}}Woolworth}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Woolworths Group PLC
| logo = Logo for Woolworths UK.png
| image = Woolworths Camberwell - 2004 - Exterior.jpg
| image_caption = Woolworths in [[Camberwell]], London, February 2004
| type =
| traded_as =
| fate =
| trade_name = Woolworths<br />[[Woolco]] (1960s–1986)<br />[[Big W (United Kingdom)|Big W]] (1998–2004)
| predecessor = [[F. W. Woolworth Company|F. W. Woolworth & Co. Ltd]] (1909–1999)
| successor =
| foundation = {{start date and age|1909|11|6|df=y}} in [[Liverpool]], United Kingdom<ref name="Coslett">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2008/12/01/local_history_woolworths_feature.shtml |title=The birth of a shopping tradition |last=Coslett |first=Paul |date=2 December 2008 |publisher=BBC |access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref>
| founder = [[Frank Winfield Woolworth]]
| defunct = {{end date and age|5 January 2009}} (physical stores) <br />{{end date and age|13 June 2015}} (Woolworths.co.uk)
| location_city =
| location_country =
| area_served =
| locations =
| key_people =
| industry = [[Retail]] and [[Distribution (business)|distribution]]
| products =
| services =
| market cap =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner = [[Woolworth Deutschland]] (trademarks)
| parent =
| num_employees =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| website = {{Official website}}
}}
'''Woolworths''' was a British [[High Street|high-street]] retail chain. At its height, it operated as Woolworths Group PLC, which included other companies such as the entertainment distributor [[Entertainment UK]], and book and resource distributor [[Bertram Books]].
The Woolworths store chain was originally a division of the American [[F. W. Woolworth Company]] until its sale in the early 1980s,<ref name="teleg_history"/><ref name="bbc_cert"/> it had more than 800 stores in the UK prior to closure. Woolworths sold many goods and had its own [[Ladybird (clothing)|Ladybird]] children's clothing range,<ref>{{cite web |title=10 years after Woolworths' collapse, what can retailers learn? - Retail Gazette |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2018/12/woolworths-collapse-10-years-ago-first-domino-physical-retail-armageddon/ |website=www.retailgazette.co.uk |date=4 December 2018 |access-date=26 February 2021}}</ref> WorthIt! value range and [[Chad Valley (toy brand)|Chad Valley]] toys.<ref>{{cite news |title=Argos buys Chad Valley toys from Woolworths |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/argos-buys-chad-valley-toys-from-woolworths-1452313.html |website=The Independent |access-date=26 February 2021 |date=22 October 2011}}</ref> They were also well known for selling [[pick 'n' mix]] sweets.<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Neill |first=Ryan |title=Newport's lost high street shops and what's there now |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/newport-old-shops-high-street-19069695 |website=WalesOnline |access-date=26 February 2021 |date=9 October 2020}}</ref> It was sometimes referred to as ''Woolies'' by the UK media, the general public, and occasionally in its own television adverts.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lavan |first=Rosie |title=A history of Woolies: 99 years of pic 'n' mix |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5237402.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612112146/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5237402.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 June 2011 |work=The Times |date=26 November 2008 |access-date=11 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Opinion: Don't cry for Woolworths.. its time was up |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2008/11/27/opinion-don-t-cry-for-woolworths-its-time-was-up-115875-20928792/ |work=Daily Mirror |date=27 November 2008 |access-date=11 December 2008}}</ref> The British company also owned and operated divisions in the [[F. W. Woolworth Ireland|Republic of Ireland]] which closed in 1984, and [[Woolworths (Cyprus)|Cyprus]] which was sold in 1985.
On 26 November 2008, trading of shares in Woolworths Group was suspended, and its Woolworths and Entertainment UK subsidiaries entered [[Administration (insolvency)|administration]].<ref name="BBC26Nov08er">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7751064.stm |title=Woolworths enters administration |publisher=BBC News |date=26 November 2008 |access-date=26 November 2008}}</ref> [[Deloitte]] closed all 807 Woolworths stores between 27 December 2008 and 6 January 2009, resulting in 27,000 job losses.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7787904.stm |title=Woolworths stores to close |publisher=BBC News |date=17 December 2008 |access-date=17 December 2008}}</ref> Woolworths Group plc entered administration on 27 January 2009,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsgroupplc.com/ |title=Woolworths Group plc - Home page |date=27 February 2009 |access-date=21 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227054808/http://www.woolworthsgroupplc.com/ |archive-date=27 February 2009}}</ref> and it was officially dissolved on 13 October 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.duedil.com/company/03855289/woolworths-group-plc |title=Woolworths Group plc |publisher=[[DueDil]] |access-date=12 November 2015}}</ref> The collapse of Woolworths was a symbol of the [[credit crunch]] and financial turmoil in the United Kingdom at the end of 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b9918572-bbd1-11dd-80e9-0000779fd18c |title=Woolworths falls into administration |first1=Tom |last1=Braithwaite |first2=Elizabeth |last2=Rigby |first3=Jean |last3=Eaglesham |date=27 November 2008 |newspaper=[[Financial Times]] |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/nov/27/woolworths-mfi-rescue-madelson |title=Woolworths and MFI crash threatens 31,000 jobs |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=27 November 2008}}</ref>
In February 2009, [[Shop Direct Group]] (later known as The Very Group) purchased the Woolworths brand and website, which continued as an online-only business, until its closure in June 2015 when it was merged into [[Very.co.uk]].
In July 2021, [[Woolworth Deutschland]] acquired the Woolworths brand and website from The Very Group for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/History/1/UK00001252904 | title=Unknown}}{{Dead link | date=August 2024 | fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=23 January 2024 |title=Woolworths could return to British High Streets|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68068503 |access-date=27 January 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> In January 2024, Woolworth Deutschland's chief executive told [[BBC News]] that the UK was on his "bucket list" of desintations for international expansion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-23 |title=Woolworths could return to British High Streets |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68068503 |access-date=2024-12-02 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==History==
===Inauguration===
[[File:Woolworths head office on Marylebone Road - geograph.org.uk - 586681.jpg|thumb|Woolworths head office on [[Marylebone Road]], [[London]]]]
The British branch of the [[F. W. Woolworth Company]], which had been founded in Pennsylvania, '''F. W. Woolworth & Co. Ltd''', was founded by [[Franklin Winfield Woolworth|Frank Woolworth]] in [[Liverpool]], England, on 5 November 1909.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/1910s-firststore.htm |publisher=Woolworths Virtual Museum |title=The first British F.W. Woolworth |access-date=4 November 2017}}</ref> Frank Woolworth had ancestry in [[Woolley, Cambridgeshire]]— Frank claimed he had traced his ancestry through the Founding Fathers of the district to a small "farm in middle England".<ref>Woolworths Group Plc., et al. (2006). "The Woolworths Virtual Museum - The European connection - Frank Woolworth's second home" -- "As he grew older it was fashionable for Americans to trace their ancestry - particularly if they could trace their roots back to the "old country" - England or Ireland. ... Frank's research [-es] indicated a strong link with Woolley, Cambridgeshire and he used to claim that he could trace his line back through the Pilgrim Fathers to a farm in middle England."</ref> When Frank eventually travelled to England in 1890,<ref name="1800s">{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/1800sStoryBegins.html |title=Overview of the F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10¢ Store's first twenty-one years |publisher=Woolworths Virtual Museum |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> he docked in [[Liverpool]] and travelled by train to [[Stoke-on-Trent]] for the purchase of china and glassware for Woolworth's ranges, but also noted his love of England in his diary and his aspirations for bringing the Woolworth name to England:
{{cquote|I believe that a good [[Penny (British pre-decimal coin)|penny]] and [[Sixpence (British coin)|sixpence]] store, run by a live Yankee, would be a sensation here.|200|50|Frank Woolworth}}
During the buying trip, Woolworth met a young clerk, William Lawrence Stephenson, who was recommended to him by [[John Wanamaker]]. Wanamaker had established a large chain of department stores across the United States and was one of Woolworth's heroes. Stephenson was invited to London to meet Woolworth again, and was offered the job as director of the new company, which he accepted.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/UKBiogs-WLStephenson.html |title=William Lawrence Stephenson |publisher=Woolworths Virtual Museum |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref>
===Internal concerns with British stores===
After the idea for the creation of British stores, Frank Woolworth had offered invitations to store managers in the United States to open up stores in the UK and had only received offers to take positions at the time of his illness in March 1909 from Fred Woolworth of the [[Sixth Avenue (Manhattan)|Sixth Avenue]] and Samuel Balfour of the [[14th Street (Manhattan)|14th Street]] stores in New York City.<ref name="woolworth_eng_volun">Woolworth, Frank W. (personal communication 19 May 1909) -- "It has been a dream of mine for the past ten years to establish a chain of stores in the UK and have asked for volunteers, but have received no offers from any of the managers until in March 1909 when I was taken ill, Mr. Fred Woolworth of the Sixth Avenue, N.Y. Store and Mr. Samuel Balfour of the 14th Street, N.Y. Store came up to see me while I was ill and offered their services as volunteers to open up stores in England."</ref> After these initial offers, Byron Miller, a superintendent in a Boston store, also offered his assistance and set sail with the other volunteers on the steam boat ''[[RMS Empress of Scotland (1906)|Kaiserin Auguste Victoria]]'' on 29 May 1909 for England from Hoboken.<ref>Woolworth, Frank W. (personal communication 19 May 1909) -- " ... and it is expected that these three gentlemen will sail with me", for England</ref>
Frank Woolworth expected other members of staff to admire the volunteers in establishing FW Woolworth & Co in Britain.  However, Carson C. Peck, vice president and general manager of the company, had reservations with enlisting staff members to travel to Britain, questioning whether Woolworth had indeed created the new business adventure following a dream, or due to his dissatisfaction with the current condition of the American branch.<ref>Carson, Peck C. (personal communication 11 June 1909) -- "I have seen bunches of boys blindly follow a leader in all sorts of dangers: I have seen them follow a leader into all sorts of good things. There is no question but that you have had a good leader during your business career and I admire your blind faith in his leadership, but I want to say one or two things, and would like to find out, if possible, whether this rush to get away from present conditions is because of a spirit of adventure or dissatisfaction with your present conditions."</ref>
Peck also asked those who were willing to volunteer to reconsider their decision, claiming that those who had volunteered were unaware of the uncertainty and risks involved and that some were only tentatively willing to engage in Woolworth's new endeavour:<ref>Carson, Peck C. (personal communication 11 June 1909) -- "Now, strange as it may seem on looking over these return sheets, I should judge without having it scheduled up, that at least 150 out of 220 managers have blindly volunteered their services for they know not what."</ref> His concerns mainly centred on the fact that the majority of the managers who followed the decision did so out of loyalty to Woolworth,<ref>Carson, Peck C. (personal communication 11 June 1909)</ref> and that moving such a valuable resource already established in the United States to what was a financially unproven "Little Infant" in the UK would have a detrimental effect upon the "Bread and Butter" of the Company.
{{cquote|To me it seems that these return sheets are in danger of being misunderstood and that it is a good deal like asking a boy to volunteer to go into a bear's den when he does not know whether he is to eat a nicely cooked luscious bear's steak, or be eaten by a great, big black bear.|200|50|Carson C. Peck}}
===Inauguration of British stores===
Despite reservations such as Peck's, the decision to launch stores in the United Kingdom went ahead as previously planned by Woolworth. He considered several locations for the first stores, together with future possible sites.<ref>Woolworths Group Plc., et al. (2006). "''The Woolworths Virtual Museum - The first British store - Church Street, Liverpool 1909''" Retrieved on 27 September 2007 from [http://museum.woolworths.co.uk/1910s-firststore.htm]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809064947/http://museum.woolworths.co.uk/1910s-firststore.htm|date=9 August 2007}}</ref> The chosen location for the first store was 25 - 25A Church Street and 8 Williamson Street in the centre of [[Liverpool]]<ref>Woolworths Group Plc., et al. (2006). "''The Woolworths Virtual Museum - The first British store - Church Street, Liverpool 1909''" -- "Many thousands of people yesterday afternoon and evening availed themselves of the opportunity afforded by the proprietors, Messrs. F. W. Woolworth & Co. Ltd., of inspecting their new stores at Church Street and Williamson Street. " Newspaper Excerpt from the "Liverpool Courier", 27 September 2007</ref> (the street addresses of the different entrances). It opened on 5 November 1909 with a performance by a full orchestra, circus acts and fireworks.<ref name=Coslett/>
As a means of adherence to American trading tradition, only viewing of items was allowed on the first day of the shop's opening. This included guests being given complementary tea while being entertained by a traditional brass band in the refreshment room. The event was reported positively by the local newspaper, ''the [[Liverpool Courier]]'', which praised the decor of the stores along with the value and range of items on sale.<ref>Woolworths Group Plc., et al. (2006). "''The Woolworths Virtual Museum - The first British store - Church Street, Liverpool 1909''" -- "Many no doubt attracted by the novel character of the business transacted. 6D is the highest price charged for any single article in the establishment, but the variety of articles obtainable is infinite. ... Though none were on sale, the goods were laid out ready for the commencement of business to-day, and occasioned the visitors considerable surprise in the matter of their exceptional value. " Newspaper Excerpt from the "Liverpool Courier", 27 September 2007</ref>
Despite local press praise, British national newspaper the ''[[Daily Mail]]'' likened Frank Woolworth to American showman [[P. T. Barnum]] and claimed that the store location had been decided as part of a contingency plan in the event of failure so as to facilitate escape from any financial liability.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/1910s-firststore.htm |title=The first British F.W. Woolworth store opens on Friday 5 November, 1909 |publisher=Woolworths Virtual Museum |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> Despite these reservations, the store proved to be a success; large queues outside and low priced [[£sd|3d.]] and 6d. ("threepenny and sixpenny") items leading to it being almost stripped bare of goods before the end of the first day of trading and being attributed to mass purchased mass-produced foreign and local goods.<ref>Woolworths Group Plc., et al. (2006). "''The Woolworths Virtual Museum - The first British store - Church Street, Liverpool 1909''" -- "Most items were either 3D (1.25p) or 6D, with occasional special lines just one old penny. The fine mahogany counters were stacked full of china and glassware, all at much lower prices than in other British stores.... The secret was mass production, with Woolworths placing big orders, paid for in cash, to secure better prices."</ref>
At the onset of the [[World War I|First World War]], F.W. Woolworth & Co. had 40 stores in Great Britain and Ireland located in most major cities - from which a total of 57 staff including store managers had enlisted; the majority of whom did not return after the end of the war in 1918.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/1910s-lestweforget.htm |title=The Great War of 1914-1918: lest we forget |publisher=Woolworths Virtual Museum |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> Despite American staff again offering their services to the Woolworths branches in Britain, remaining staff increased their efforts to cope with the lack of staff members throughout the war with several staff members being promoted to managerial positions.<ref>Woolworths Group Plc., et al. (2006). The Americans offered help, but the British company were keen to prove their worth. A number of women were promoted into the store management positions they so richly deserved, albeit only on a temporary basis. Business continued as usual.</ref>
Stores in the United States, which were then stocking ranges also present in British stores, were dependent upon European manufacturers which had adopted newer production methods than their American counterparts.<ref>Woolworths Group Plc., et al. (2006). However, the war presented a big problem, particularly for the American company. They had become dependent on European imports for major parts of their business. At the outset of the Great War European factories were far more modern than their American counterparts.  Europe had embraced the new technologies and working practices of mass production in a way that was yet to take hold in the US.</ref> <!-- To be completed -->
===1918–1982===
[[File:A Picture of a Southern Town- Life in Wartime Reading, Berkshire, England, UK, 1945 D25360.jpg|thumb|right|Interior of a Woolworths store in Reading in 1945]]
After the First World War, the company continued to expand with the opening of further branches. By 1923 there were 130 branches, and William Lawrence Stephenson (1880–1963) became managing director. He implemented a strategy of major expansion, with the company buying or building freehold properties. Many of the stores had distinctive [[Glazed architectural terra-cotta|faience]] tiled [[art deco]] frontages. The expansion was funded entirely out of earnings and without any borrowing or further capitalisation. The 400th branch, at Southport, Lancashire, opened on 12 July 1930, and the company was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1931. The US parent company reduced its holding in the company to 51.7% at that time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/1930s-flotation.htm |publisher=Woolworths Virtual Museum |title=Listing on the London Stock Exchange in 1931 |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> In 1934, the 600th store was opened, in [[Wallington, London|Wallington]] in [[Surrey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/1930s-openinggambit.htm |publisher=Woolworths Virtual Museum |title=1930s Expansion Programme |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref>
Expansion was effectively suspended between 1940 and 1950, owing to the Second World War and post-war restrictions, but then resumed. The 800th branch, at Wilton Road, Victoria, London, opened in September 1953.
A store was opened in [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]] in [[Colony of Jamaica|Jamaica]] in 1954. This was followed in 1959 by one in [[Harare|Salisbury]] in [[Southern Rhodesia]] (now Harare, [[Zimbabwe]]); its layout was based on that of a store in [[Guildford]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=A brief history of Woolworths |url=https://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/aboutwoolies.html |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk}}</ref> Woolworth also operated stores in [[Barbados]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] and the  [[West Indies]].<ref>{{cite web |title=British Commonwealth Woolworth stores in Zimbabwe (Southern Rhodesia), Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago |url=https://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/1950s-firstcommonwealthstores.htm |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
On 22 May 1958, the 1000th branch (known as "Portslade" to distinguish it from the existing Hove branch) opened in Boundary Road, Hove. The peak of 1,141 branches was reached in the late 1960s. From then until the US parent sold out in 1982, a number of branches were closed and sold, and at the time that ownership shifted to the UK, there were about 1,000 branches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Kingfisher-plc-Company-History.html |title=History of Kingfisher plc – FundingUniverse |publisher=Fundinguniverse.com |access-date=21 March 2014}}</ref>
Woolworths tried the large out-of-town store or [[hypermarket]] format in the 1960s with the [[Woolco]] stores.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/1960s-outoftown.htm |publisher=Woolworths Virtual Museum |title=Diversification and the first steps out of town |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> While some of these stores were closed, the majority were sold to the Dee Corporation in the early 1980s and reopened as Gateway hypermarkets, later being taken over by [[Asda]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/1980s-buyin.htm |publisher=Woolworths Virtual Museum |title=Management Buy In - the most hostile form of takeover |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref>
One of Woolworths' flagship stores, on [[Briggate]] in [[Leeds]], suffered a major fire in 1969. The store, which opened in 1913, was spread over four floors and sustained extensive damage, requiring a total refit. The store was not open to the public at the time and the building was evacuated, avoiding fatalities, although some staff suffered minor injuries. It took several hours for the fire to be fully extinguished.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/27677450@N05/3131652756/ |title=Woolworths Cafe |publisher=Flickr |date=23 December 2010 |access-date=4 January 2011}}</ref>
===Split from owner and after===
In 1982, the British Woolworths and its sister chain [[B&Q]] were acquired by Paternoster Stores Ltd, the forerunner of [[Kingfisher plc]]. Woolworths Group plc was formed by the demerger of Kingfisher's general merchandise business,<ref>{{cite news |title=Kingfisher near demerger with sale and leaseback of stores |last=Jackson-Proes |first=Alex |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2730005/Kingfisher-near-demerger-with-sale-and-leaseback-of-stores.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=14 August 2001 |access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref> and began trading as a listed company on the [[London Stock Exchange]] on 28 August 2003, using the symbol WLW.
In October 1984, the [[Woolworths (Ireland)|Woolworths stores in the Republic of Ireland]] were closed. In August 1996, market research was undertaken by Woolworths investigating opportunities to re-enter the Republic of Ireland market. About 32 potential locations were identified that could support a Woolworths store. However, the project did not proceed beyond the market research phase.
[[File:Johnstone High Street - geograph.org.uk - 1255431.jpg|thumb|left|Woolworths store in Johnstone, April 1989]]
During the 1980s, management rationalised merchandise lines into clearly defined categories: entertainment, home, children (toys and clothing) and confectionery. Many Woolworths branches were downsized during this time. Older branches in major cities were sometimes almost as large as the major department stores nearby. In 1987, for example, Woolworths left its five-floor branch on Briggate in Leeds (now occupied by [[House of Fraser]]), which it had occupied since 1913, and kept only its smaller single-level branch in the [[Merrion Centre (Leeds)|Merrion Centre]]. This was in an area of the [[Leeds city centre|city centre]] which had less pedestrian traffic, of shoppers who were generally on a lower budget.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soultsretailview.co.uk/2011/01/26/woolies-spotting-in-leeds/ |title=Woolies spotting in Leeds |last=Soult |first=Graham |publisher=Soult's Retail View |date=26 January 2011 |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref>
Woolworths did have several smaller outlets during the 1990s which sold music and confectionery. Smaller outlets with a similar format were also tried at the Sheffield Meadowhall Shopping Centre, but closed in 2003; the Manchester Music and Video store was superseded by a larger MVC store, owned by Woolworths Group.
In the late 1990s, the management extended the Woolworths brand into other retail formats and alternative channels to accelerate growth by taking advantage of changing retail trends. Some larger-format stores were opened under the [[Big W (UK Chain)|Big W]] brand, similar to [[Wal-Mart]] in the US. Although it was successful at the beginning, the format failed to catch on; the original plan had relied upon leveraging the involvement of other Kingfisher group retailers, but following the de-merger this was no longer possible.<ref name=BigW>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/1990s-bigw.htm |title=Out of town Big W superstores |year=2013 |publisher=Woolworths Museum |access-date=17 August 2013}}</ref> Following a period of losses, Woolworths confirmed in 2004 it would abandon the Big W concept.<ref>{{cite news |title=Woolworths scraps big W store format |last=Mesure |first=Susie |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/woolworths-scraps-big-w-store-format-6172152.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128072235/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/woolworths-scraps-big-w-store-format-6172152.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 November 2011 |newspaper=The Independent |date=25 March 2004 |access-date=17 August 2013}}</ref> The group sold seven of the 21 Big W stores in 2005 to Tesco and Asda.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tesco and Asda go on buying spree at Big W |last=Hall |first=James |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2903106/Tesco-and-Asda-go-on-buying-spree-at-Big-W.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=9 January 2005 |access-date=17 August 2013}}</ref> The gross internal floor area of the remaining sites was reduced to an optimum trading size of around 40,000 to {{convert|50000|sqft|m2}}. Following this, they were rebranded as Woolworths Out of Town stores.<ref name=BigW/>
===Later years===
The newly independent Woolworths faced severe competitive and financial pressures. The market for physical copies of music, one of Woolworths' main money spinners, shrank in the early 21st century; specialist music chains such as [[Our Price]] collapsed. The major supermarket chains expanded into many of Woolworths' product areas, and the fast-expanding [[Wilkinson (retailer)|Wilkinson]] challenged it directly on the high street.
Woolworths did not generally follow the trend started in the 1980s of opening stores at out-of-town relocations. One of its few out-of-town stores opened at [[Dudley]]'s [[Merry Hill Shopping Centre]] in 1989, but this closed within a few years due to disappointing trade.
[[File:Interior of Woolworths, Leigh Road, Eastleigh - geograph.org.uk - 1060629.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Woolworths became well known for its "pick 'n' mix" sweet selections.]]
In an attempt to raise the group's corporate profile under the chairmanship of [[Gerald Corbett]], Woolworths sponsored a show garden at the [[The Royal Horticultural Society|RHS]] [[Chelsea Flower Show]] in 2004. Designed by a group of graduate students from Pickard School of Garden Design, the contemporary-formal style garden was awarded a silver medal.
[[File:Woolworths Group share price 2006-2008.png|thumb|Woolworths Group plc share price dropped gradually between 2006 and 2008]]
In the middle of 2006 the business launched an in-store collection service for items ordered on their website or in-store, to complement the already established in-store ordering system. In late September 2006, the Big Red Book was launched, to compete directly with the [[Argos (retailer)|Argos]] catalogue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/woolworths-launches-catalogue-service/2052921.article |title=Woolworths launches catalogue service |last=Turner |first=Catherine |publisher=Marketing Week |date=20 September 2006 |access-date=17 August 2013}}</ref>
Woolworths launched the ''WorthIt!'' brand as a value range in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=22382 |title=UK: Woolworths launches £10m price drop |publisher=Fresh Plaza |date=23 May 2008 |access-date=31 December 2010}}</ref> The first advertising campaign for the brand aired on 15 June 2007 and introduced the characters of Wooly the sheep and Worth the sheepdog.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-31732802_ITM |title=New campaign: Woolworths.(Woolworths Group PLC)(Brief article) |publisher=Access My Library |date=13 June 2007 |access-date=31 December 2008}}</ref> Further advertising campaigns featured celebrities such as [[Rolf Harris]], [[Jackie Chan]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.retail-week.com/woolies-lands-jackie-chan-to-front-tv-ads/1076923.article |title=Woolies lands Jackie Chan to front TV ads |work=Retail Week |date=7 April 2008 |access-date=20 August 2013 |first=Lisa |last=Berwin}}</ref> and [[Kelly Osbourne]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/aug/30/advertising |title=Woolies picks Rolf and Kelly for TV push |work=The Guardian |date=30 August 2007 |access-date=31 December 2008 |first=Mark |last=Sweney}}</ref> The brand covered a wide variety of products including confectionery, electricals, alcohol, jewellery, perfumes and clothing.
Woolworths had a strongly [[trade union|unionised]] workforce, with shop stewards such as Paul Thompson of [[Unite the Union|Unite]] (formerly the [[Transport and General Workers' Union]]) particularly active in the north of the UK.
In July 2008, the board rejected a bid from Iceland founder Malcolm Walker to buy Woolworths' 819 stores for £50m. Walker's bid did not include Entertainment UK or the stake in 2 Entertain, and also avoided taking on Woolworths' debt and pension liabilities.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/aug/24/woolworths.retailindustry |title=Walker set to restart bid talks with Woolworths |work=The Guardian |date=24 August 2008 |access-date=17 August 2013 | first=Zoe | last=Wood}}</ref>
On 12 August 2008, Woolworths Group announced the appointment of Steve Johnson, former [[chief executive officer]] of [[Focus DIY]], to the post of chief executive.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.drapersonline.com/news/woolworths-appoints-new-chief-executive |title=Woolworths appoints new CEO |publisher=Drapers |date=12 August 2008 |access-date=17 December 2008}}</ref> He replaced Trevor Bish-Jones, who had left in June.<ref>{{cite news |title=Woolworths chief executive Trevor Bish-Jones leaves |last=Monaghan |first=Angela |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/2791826/Woolworths-chief-executive-Trevor-Bish-Jones-leaves.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=18 June 2008 |access-date=17 August 2013}}</ref> Woolworths scrapped its interim dividend in September 2008, after it announced a pre-tax loss of £99.7m for the six months to 2 August. At the same time, Johnson outlined a possible turnaround plan to sell 120 stores, axe a quarter of its products, reduce web operations and cut jobs.<ref name="sugar">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/3168496/Sir-Alan-Sugar-grabs-nearly-4pc-of-Woolworths.html |title=Sir Alan Sugar grabs nearly 4pc of Woolworths |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |date=9 October 2008 |access-date=18 December 2010 | first=Richard | last=Fletcher}}</ref>
At that time, the retailer's largest shareholder was Iranian property developer Ardeshir Naghshineh, with a 10.2% stake. A consortium led by Icelandic investor [[Baugur Group|Baugur]], called Unity owned a 10% stake in Woolworths.<ref name="sugar"/> In October 2008 [[Alan Sugar|Sir Alan Sugar]], founder of electronics firm [[Amstrad]], increased his stake in Woolworths to around 4%.<ref name="sugar"/> [[Theo Paphitis]], owner of stationery retailer [[Ryman]], also stated his interest in the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citywire.co.uk/personal/-/news/markets-companies-and-funds/content.aspx?ID=322569&re=4281&ea=180442 |title=Dragon's Den star among Woolies bidders |publisher=Citiwire |date=1 December 2008 |access-date=1 December 2010 }}</ref>
===Administration and closure===
'''2008–2011'''<br />
The [[2007–2008 financial crisis]] and the [[Great Recession]] reduced availability of [[Credit (finance)|credit]] and consumer spending.
[[File:Woolworths Hounslow - Closing Down Sale - Exterior.jpg|thumb|left|Queues form in [[Hounslow]] for the final sale]]
On 19 November 2008, ''[[The Times]]'' reported that the Woolworths' retail business was a target for restructuring specialist [[Hilco UK]], who would buy the retail arm for a nominal £1;<ref>{{cite news |first=Power |last=Helen |title=Woolworths in talks to sell retail empire to rescue fund for £1|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5183982.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708153206/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5183982.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 July 2009 |work=The Times |date=19 November 2008 |access-date=28 November 2008}}</ref> this was confirmed the same day.<ref>{{cite news |first=Helen |last=Power |author2=Martin Walker  |title=Woolworths dives as it confirms takeover talks|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5186619.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612112355/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5186619.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 June 2011|work=The Times |date=19 November 2008 |access-date=28 November 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7737071.stm |title=Woolworths in stores sale talks |publisher=BBC News |date=19 November 2008 |access-date=17 December 2008}}</ref> The deal would have left Woolworths Group with its profitable distribution and publishing businesses and a reduced debt load. Ardeshir Naghshineh criticised the plan, recommending instead that the company sell some of the stores to raise more funds.<ref>{{cite news |title=Call for Woolworths to delay sale |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7745404.stm |newspaper=BBC News |date=24 November 2008 |access-date=26 August 2013}}</ref>
The group's banks, [[Ally Financial|GMAC]] and [[Bank of Ireland|Burdale]], rejected the deal<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/3533018/Woolworths-creditor-Metrodome-seeks-money-owed.html |title=Woolworths creditor Metrodome seeks money owed |first=Rowena |last=Mason |publisher=The Telegraph |date=28 November 2008 |access-date=17 December 2008 | location=London}}</ref> and recalled their loans, forcing the group to place the retail business and Entertainment UK into [[administration (law)|administration]]. On 26 November 2008, the trading of shares in Woolworths PLC was suspended, and Neville Kahn, Dan Butters and Nick Dargan of [[Deloitte]] were appointed joint administrators.<ref name="BBC26Nov08er"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7743906.stm |title=Talks continue to save Woolworths |publisher=BBC News |date=22 November 2008|access-date=11 December 2008}}</ref> When the company entered administration it had a debt of £385 million. The administrators announced that they were aiming to keep the company as a going concern over the crucial [[Christmas]] period, although analysts feared that any heavy discounting would create a [[domino effect]] and drag down other high street retailers. Deloitte later announced they had received "substantial interest" in Woolworths.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7757222.stm |title=Dragon 'may bid for Woolworths' |publisher=BBC News |date=30 November 2008|access-date=11 December 2008}}</ref>
When news of Woolworths' entry into administration was widely publicised, [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|National Lottery]] operator [[Camelot Group|Camelot]] immediately suspended Woolworths from selling their lottery tickets and scratch cards, as well as preventing claimants from redeeming prizes at the stores.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/nov/27/woolworths-administration-buyers |title=Woolworths stopped from selling lottery tickets|newspaper=The Guardian |date=27 November 2008 |access-date=18 February 2020 | location=London | author=Simon Bowers and Graeme Wearden}}</ref>
On 5 December 2008, Woolworths recorded their greatest single day takings of £27 million, and axed 450 head office and support staff jobs.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/dec/06/woolworths-high-street-retailers |title=Woolworths records its best sales in 99 years - and axes 450 jobs |work=The Guardian |date=6 December 2008|access-date=6 December 2008| location=London | first=Richard | last=Wray}}</ref> A closing-down sale started on 11 December.
[[File:Woolies croydon.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Woolworths in [[Croydon]], shelves bare, on last day of Final Clearance Sale]]
On 17 December 2008, administrators announced that all 807 Woolworths stores would close by 5 January 2009 (later changed to 6 January), with 27,000 job losses.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/3813244/Woolworths-stores-set-to-close-and-thousands-of-jobs-to-go.html |title=Woolworths stores set to close and thousands of jobs to go |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |date=17 December 2008 |access-date=17 December 2008| location=London | first=Amy | last=Wilson}}</ref> Deloitte's Neville Kahn also said that it was unclear how much of Woolworths' debt would be paid. In the last few days of trading discounts of up to 90% were offered, and a number of stores sold all of their stock, many selling all of their fixtures and fittings too.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/That39s-all-folks-as-the.4829519.jp |title=That's all folks as the wonder of Woolworths fades with 34 stores closing their doors |publisher=The Scotsman |date=6 January 2009 |access-date=6 January 2009}}</ref>
The stores were closed in phases, and the final two closing days were moved back a day to try to sell more of the remaining stock and to ease logistics of closing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hFZcKNgO7x4AQzGMle-rIaZntwjQ |title=Extra day's trading at Woolworths |publisher=Press Association |date=1 January 2009 |access-date=1 January 2009}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hNVnVdkdfyczSaFz5CAXydYdpUBw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227044040/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hNVnVdkdfyczSaFz5CAXydYdpUBw |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 December 2008 |title=Woolworths store closure dates |publisher=Press Association |date=22 December 2008|access-date=22 December 2008}}</ref>[[File:The last days of Bangor's Woolworths store - geograph.org.uk - 1089037.jpg|thumb|The Woolworths in [[Bangor, Gwynedd]] days before closing. It was replaced by a [[Boots UK|Boots]] store.]]
* 207 stores closed on 27 December 2008
* 37 closed on 29 December
* 164 closed on 30 December
* 200 closed on 3 January 2009
* remaining stores (199) closed on 6 January 2009
The former chief executive of Kingfisher, Woolworths' former parent company, and Ardeshir Naghshineh, a major shareholder of Woolworths, criticised the closures.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/4143702/Woolworths-shareholder-slams-chains-closure.html |title=Woolworths' shareholder slams chain's closure |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=7 January 2009|access-date=9 January 2010 |first=James |last=Hall}}</ref>
On 19 January 2009, the owner, Woolworths Group, announced its intention to also enter administration, as it could no longer pay its debts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retail-week.com/woolworths-group-applies-for-administration/1969466.article |title=Woolworths Group applies for administration |last=Harrison |first=Nicola |work=Retail Week |date=19 January 2009|access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref> The application was heard by the High Court on 27 January, and Woolworths Group PLC entered administration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.investegate.co.uk/woolworths-group-plc--wlw-/rns/woolworths-group-plc-administ/200901271136033102M/ |title=Woolworths Group PLC Administration Order |date=27 January 2009 |publisher=InvestEgate |access-date=17 August 2013 |archive-date=3 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603113613/http://www.investegate.co.uk/woolworths-group-plc--wlw-/rns/woolworths-group-plc-administ/200901271136033102M/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The trade unions complained of the collective redundancies and they started various legal actions before the UK tribunals based on the absence of proper consultation of the employee representatives. The UK Court of Appeal referred the case to the [[Court of Justice of the European Union]] which partially disagreed with the unions by an important decision of 30 April 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Woolworths CJEU decision: how to dismiss 4,440 employees without consulting staff representatives (eu) |url=http://www.lagbd.org/index.php/Woolworths_CJEU_decision:_how_to_dismiss_4,440_employees_without_consulting_staff_representatives_%28eu%29 |publisher=La GBD |date= |access-date=7 February 2022 |language=fr}}</ref><ref>Alain-Christian Monkam, 'The Woolworths CJEU decision: how to dismiss 4,400 employees without consulting the staff representatives', case comment</ref>
In January 2024, it was announced that Woolworths may make a return 15 years after it closed, when the German company announced its expansion throughout Europe and the UK was one of its high priorites and this looks more likely, following the closure of Wilko just a year earlier in the UK.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Masud |first=Faarea |date=23 January 2024 |title=Woolworths could return to British High Streets |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68068503 |access-date=26 January 2024 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Patrick |date=23 January 2024 |title=Woolworths set for shock return to UK high streets |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/woolworths-set-shock-return-uk-31944180 |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=[[Daily Mirror|The Mirror]] |language=en}}</ref>
=== 2020 hoax ===
In October 2020, an unverified [[Twitter]] account named @UKWoolworths announced that Woolworths UK was planning to relaunch. The announcement was reported by dozens of mainstream British websites, including [[MailOnline]] and the ''[[Daily Mirror]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Waterson|first=Jim|date=28 October 2020|title=Sixth-form student revealed to be behind 'Woolworths reopening' fake news|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/oct/28/sixth-form-student-revealed-behind-woolworths-reopening-fake-news|access-date=28 October 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Within hours the [[Very Group]], the owner of the Woolworths brand, confirmed that the account was a hoax.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=27 October 2020 |title=Woolworths High-Street 'relaunch' proves a hoax |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-54706063 |access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref> The stunt was perpetrated by a teenage student, Luke Castle, who claimed to have run it as an experiment "testing the brand loyalty of the British public".<ref>{{cite news |last=Cheer |first=Seb |date=31 October 2020 |title=REVEALED: The York Teenager Behind "Woolsworths" Fake News|language=en-GB|work=Planet Radio|url=https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/york-north-yorkshire/news/york-teenager-woolworths-fake/|access-date=8 November 2020}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
==Aftermath of insolvency in the UK==
===Former stores===
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| width = 220
| image1 = WooliesKeswick1.JPG
| caption1 = Woolworths in [[Keswick, Cumbria|Keswick]] on its final day of trading in December 2008
| image2 = Ex-WoolworthsKeswick.JPG
| caption2 = The former Woolworths in Keswick, seen in December 2009, became a [[Mountain Warehouse]]
}}
The administrators announced on 10 December 2008, that they were having difficulty selling the company as a going concern, and as a result some stores might close before the end of the month. Talks were still progressing to sell individual stores and leases to a number of retailers, said to include the supermarket chains [[Morrisons]], [[Tesco]], [[Asda]], [[Sainsbury's]], [[The Co-operative Group]] and [[Poundland]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7776113.stm |title=Woolworths in store closure sales |publisher=BBC News |date=10 December 2008 |access-date=10 December 2008}}</ref>
In December 2008, Woolworths executive Tony Page and former UBS banker Gareth Thomas were trying to raise around £30,000,000 to relaunch the brand after closure with a chain of 125 stores.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retail-week.com/News/2008/12/woolworths_stores_empire_to_close_in_january_but_interest_continues.html |title=Woolworths stores empire to close in January but interest continues |work=Retail Week |date=18 December 2008 |access-date=14 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/3919711/Woolworths-historic-brand-could-be-rescued-for-just-30m.html |title=Woolworths historic brand could be rescued for just £30m |last=Ebrahimi |first=Helia |publisher=The Telegraph |date=24 December 2008 |access-date=18 August 2013}}</ref> However, a deal could not be met in time. The government was also asked in a final attempt to make the deal but without success.
Then-Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]] noted that the government had considered saving Woolworths, but they concluded that it was a "financially unviable" business.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/4222167/Gordon-Brown-vows-workers-will-not-lose-job-for-long-on-my-watch.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914101828/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/4222167/Gordon-Brown-vows-workers-will-not-lose-job-for-long-on-my-watch.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 September 2012 |title=Gordon Brown vows workers will not lose job for long 'on my watch'|date=12 January 2009 |access-date=14 January 2009 | work=The Telegraph | first=Rosa | last=Prince}}</ref>
The supermarket chain [[Iceland (supermarket)|Iceland]] bought 51 of the stores on 9 January 2009 for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7820981.stm |title=Iceland buys 51 Woolworths stores |publisher=BBC News |date=9 January 2009 |access-date=9 January 2009}}</ref> Baugur, one of the major shareholders of Woolworths, partly owns Iceland, and Baugur UK itself entered administration in February.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7869342.stm |title=Hamleys investor seeks protection |publisher=BBC News |date=4 February 2009 |access-date=5 February 2009}}</ref> A further five former stores in Wales were bought by [[The Original Factory Shop]] in April 2009.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/8002956.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Old Woolworths stores to re-open | date=16 April 2009 |access-date=19 August 2013}}</ref> Across the UK stores were sporadically replaced by other retailers such as [[Next plc|Next]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/4805350.Next_to_open_in_vacant_Woolies_shop/ |title=Next to open in vacant Woolies shop |publisher=Darlington and Stockton Times |date=18 December 2011 |access-date=9 June 2017}}</ref> [[Boyes (retailer)|Boyes]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/news/Oh-boy-8211-Cleethorpes-Woolies-new-owner/article-1938350-detail/article.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912005439/http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/news/Oh-boy-8211-Cleethorpes-Woolies-new-owner/article-1938350-detail/article.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 September 2012 |title=Cleethorpes' Woolies has new owner |publisher=Grimsby Telegraph |date=24 March 2012 |access-date=19 August 2015 }}</ref> [[Boots UK|Boots]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/positive-town-vid/article-1169111-detail/article.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505092915/http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/positive-town-vid/article-1169111-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=A NEW Boots store has officially opened at the site of the old Woolworths shop in Beverley.}}</ref> [[Primark]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/chester-news/local-chester-news/2010/12/12/primark-to-replace-woolworths-in-chester-city-centre-59067-22458212/ |title=Primark to replace Woolworths in Chester city centre |publisher=Chester Chronicle |date=12 December 2010 |access-date=19 August 2015}}</ref> [[TK Maxx]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/4188223.tk-maxx-heading-for-worcester/|title=TK Maxx heading for Worcester|website=Worcester News|date=10 March 2009 }}</ref> [[Home Bargains]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ldpbusiness.co.uk/liverpool-news/liverpool-business-news/2011/01/29/home-bargains-to-take-over-14-former-woolworths-stores-96026-22811716/ |title=Home Bargains to take over 14 former Woolworths stores |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305133414/http://www.ldpbusiness.co.uk/liverpool-news/liverpool-business-news/2011/01/29/home-bargains-to-take-over-14-former-woolworths-stores-96026-22811716/ |archive-date=5 March 2009  }}</ref> and [[W H Smith]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/6fc55222-2fd8-11de-a2f8-00144feabdc0|title=WH Smith eyes more Woolworths stores|date=24 April 2009}}</ref>
In August 2010, the BBC reported that over 300 (i.e., approximately 40%) of former Woolworths stores remained empty, and that the largest group now using former Woolworths stores were discount retailers - such as Poundland.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11053818 |work=BBC News |title=Woolworths stores remain unused 18 months after closure |date=23 August 2010}}</ref> By January 2012, it was reported that there were still 105 empty former Woolworths stores, and a further 68 had been demolished.<ref>{{cite news |title=What happened to all the Woolworths shops? |last=Wallop |first=Harry |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9022600/What-happened-to-all-the-Woolworths-shops.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=19 January 2012 |access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref>
===Alworths===
{{Main|Alworths}}
According to press reports on 17 February 2009, Tony Page and Gareth Thomas were planning to open a chain of shops adopting the Woolworths format, but under a different name.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1037294&c=1 |title="New Woolworths" will stock music |work=[[Music Week]] |date=23 March 2009 |access-date=7 April 2011}}</ref> A store opened under the Alworths name on 5 November 2009 in [[Didcot]], on the site of a former Woolworths store, without the involvement of Page or Thomas.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/woolworths-set-to-return-to-the-high-street-next-month-1795708.html |title='Woolworths' set to return to the high street next month |date=1 October 2009 |work=The Independent |access-date=1 October 2009 |first=Virginia |last=Matthews}}</ref> By January 2011, 18 stores had been opened, although in April the company also entered administration and closed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.retail-week.com/sectors/general-merchandise/alworths-goes-into-administration/5024169.article |title=Alworths goes into administration |date=1 April 2011 |work=Retail Week |access-date=19 August 2013 |last=Harrison |first=Nicola}}</ref>
===Wellworths===
{{Main|Wellchester}}
[[File:Wellworths.svg|250px|right|thumb|Wellworths' logo from 2009–2010]]
The Woolworths store in [[Dorchester, Dorset]] was reopened as an independent business named ''Wellworths'' by the store manager Claire Robertson. The store was officially opened by [[BBC Radio 2]] DJ [[Chris Evans (presenter)|Chris Evans]] on 11 March 2009. It was later renamed ''Wellchester''.
Wellchester ceased trading in August 2012, after Robertson left to set up her own retail consultancy business.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisdorset.net/news/9807743.Dorchester_store_set_to_close/?ref=rss |title=Dorchester store set to close |newspaper=Daily Echo |last=Hogger |first=Harry |date=10 July 2012 |access-date=19 August 2015}}</ref>
===Woolworths.co.uk===
[[File:Woolworths.co.uk logo.png|thumb|Woolworths.co.uk logo from 2009–2015]]
The Woolworths brand and domain was bought by [[Shop Direct Group]], owned by [[David and Frederick Barclay|Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay]], on 2 February 2009. ''[[The Times]]'' estimated that they would have paid between £5 million and £10 million for the brand.<ref name="judge">{{cite news |last1=Judge |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Leroux |first2=Marcus |date=2 February 2009 |title=Woolworths to return online in surprise deal |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5639928.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612110331/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5639928.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 June 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2009 |work=The Times |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2 February 2009 |title=Woolworths is to be reborn online |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7864194.stm |accessdate=2 February 2009 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=retailerIdviewsearchText |date=14 December 2010 |title=Full of toys, entertainment, kids clothing, party ideas & pic n' mix |url=http://www.woolworths.co.uk |accessdate=2 January 2011 |publisher=Woolworths.co.uk}}</ref> Woolworths also launched an Easter egg website, called ''Woolies Wonderland'', for [[Easter]] 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=Warning shot fired at Alworths |url=http://www.woolieswonderland.co.uk/ |accessdate=7 April 2009}}</ref> The company announced it would relaunch Woolworths as an [[Electronic commerce|online retail store]]. The website was launched on 26 June 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/703372/woolworths-welcomes-back-100000-customers |title=Woolworths Welcomes Back 100,000 Customers |publisher=Sky News |date=26 June 2009 |access-date=18 August 2013}}</ref> It has been closed since June 2015.
==Incidents==
===Disasters===
====New Cross, London====
Many branches of Woolworths suffered severe bomb damage and even destruction during the [[Luftwaffe]] attacks in the early part of the [[Second World War]]. However it was towards the end of the war that the largest civilian loss of life due to direct enemy fire in Britain during the conflict occurred when, at lunchtime on 25<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/1940s-remembernewcross.htm|title=Lest we forget New Cross|website=www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk|access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref> November 1944, a German [[V-2 rocket]] fell on a packed Woolworths store in [[New Cross|New Cross Road]], killing 168 people (including 15 children), injuring 122 others and razing the building to the ground. The neighbouring [[Co-operative Group|London Co-operative Society]] store was also demolished in the attack.
The store was especially busy as news of a delivery of hard-to-obtain [[saucepan]]s generated huge crowds, many of whom were queueing outside the store at the time of the rocket's impact.
Planning and economic restrictions after the war meant Woolworths did not build a replacement store on the site until 1960; this closed in 1984. It was reported that some employees there felt the building was haunted.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://museum.woolworths.co.uk/1940s-remembernewcross.htm |title=Lest we forget |publisher=Woolworths Museum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204190522/http://museum.woolworths.co.uk/1940s-remembernewcross.htm |archive-date=4 February 2008  }} - dead link - cached copy here</ref>
[[Lewisham Council]] and Woolworths erected a plaque on the site commemorating those who died that day. There is now an [[Iceland (supermarket)|Iceland]] store on the site.
===Fire safety===
During the period from 1971 to 1981 a series of fires occurred in Woolworths premises which brought into sharp focus the company's complacent attitude towards fire safety, a policy which culminated in a number of fatalities.
====Central Warehouse, Rochdale====
On 6 May 1971, a fire broke out at the main distribution depot at [[Rochdale]], Lancashire. The site was split into three sections, along with an administration block that housed the company’s new mainframe computer system and all stock and accounting records. The fire soon spread owing to the failure of the sprinkler system; this led to administration staff frantically dis-assembling the computer and passing parts of it, along with stock cards and other records, out of windows onto waiting lorries.
Over 100 fire fighters attended the blaze and they managed to save two-thirds of the building with no loss of life. The resultant insurance payout of £3m was the highest of its kind in the north-west of England at that time.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/1970s-fire.htm |title=Carelessness, complacency ... catastrophe - fires at Woolworth in the 1970s |first=Paul |last=Seaton |website=www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk}}</ref>
====High Street, Colchester====
On 2 October 1973, a fire broke out in the stockroom of the store at 40-50 High Street, [[Colchester]]. The blaze soon spread to the rest of the store and the building was totally destroyed. Although all customers and staff were evacuated, subsequent findings blamed a lack of a sprinkler system (which was not, and still is not, a legal requirement) and poor procedures in place for staff to deal with fires and evacuations.<ref name="auto" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/14598875.history-the-day-one-of-colchesters-most-devastating-fires-razed-woolworths-to-the-ground/ |title=HISTORY: The day one of Colchester's most devastating fires razed Woolworth's to the ground |work=[[Daily Gazette (Colchester)|Daily Gazette]] |date=5 July 2016 |access-date=14 October 2019}}</ref>
====Central Manchester====
[[File:Woolworth's, Manchester - geograph-2182393-by-David-Dixon.jpg|thumb|Image taken a few days after the fire at Woolworths Manchester store]]
A fire erupted just after 1pm on 8 May 1979 at the [[Manchester]] store opposite [[Piccadilly Gardens]], said at the time to be the largest Woolworths in Europe, with six floors plus two basement levels. The fire, which started in the second floor furnishing department, killed nine shoppers and one member of staff,<ref>{{cite book |first=Norman |last=Thomson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mU8ZKzWit4oC&q=woolworths+fire+manchester&pg=PA91 |title=Fire Hazards in Industry (Death toll in Manchester) |publisher=Elsevier |year=2001 |isbn=0-7506-5321-3}}</ref> of whom three were found just six feet away from an exit with another three bodies nearby. Of the 12 calls made to the fire service that day, none came from the store itself. It is believed that the fire was started by a damaged electrical cable, which had furniture stacked in front of it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fireservice.co.uk/history/woolworths.php |access-date=17 December 2008 |title=Report into Manchester fire |publisher=Fireservice.co.uk |archive-date=25 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025042208/http://www.fireservice.co.uk/history/woolworths.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> An inquiry showed that, although the store's fire precautions met all legal requirements, the spread of the fire and the high number of casualties were in part due to the absence of measures such as a [[fire sprinkler system]] to stop the spread of the fire from the furniture department, and the use of [[polyurethane]] foam in the furnishings, a material which is highly inflammable and highly toxic, but cheap and, at that time, legal in furniture. This finding would have consequences for later safety legislation.
The second floor was gutted by the fire, while the third floor suffered severe smoke damage; the ground, first and second floors all received extensive water damage when the fire was extinguished. Due to the loss of life and devastation to the Manchester store, the Fire Research Station conducted a number of tests to develop sprinkler systems that could handle a similar large department store fire. However, there is still no legal requirement for United Kingdom retailers to have a sprinkler system in place, with many preferring to focus on evacuation procedures rather than fire containment. The catastrophe also resulted in modifications to the Fire Precautions Act and was among the factors that led to the ban on the use of polyurethane foam in home furnishings (a long-time concern of the fire service) forcing furniture manufacturers to develop new fabrics and materials for sofas and other items.
The fire brought graphic images into the public consciousness (including footage of female office staff trapped behind barred windows on the top floor) due to the store's location next to the then studios of [[BBC North West|BBC Manchester]] (above the National Westminster Bank) and near to those of [[Granada Television]], the offices of the ''[[Manchester Evening News]]'' and the northern offices of several national newspapers.
The disaster has become a significant object of study for academics interested in the behaviour of people in emergency situations, after research showed a number of customers (predominately in the public restaurant area) refused to leave despite the sounding of alarms, requests from staff and even the smell and visibility of [[smoke]]; some even continued to queue at an abandoned check-out.<ref>{{cite book |last=Faith |first=Nicholas |title=Blaze - The Forensics of fire |publisher=Macmillan, London |year=1999}}</ref> The majority of those who perished were in this area.
The store was re-opened, but closed in 1986.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.100thbirthday.co.uk/images/StoreGallery/pages/0004Manchester-70sLong.htm |title=0004Manchester-70sLong |publisher=100thbirthday.co.uk |access-date=21 March 2014 |archive-date=6 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306001101/http://www.100thbirthday.co.uk/images/StoreGallery/pages/0004Manchester-70sLong.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The site became an [[amusement arcade]] for many years, until the building owners evicted the tenants in favour of a building renovation to house a 157-room [[Travelodge UK|Travelodge]] hotel, a [[Morrisons]] convenience store, and [[Zizzi]] and [[Nando's]] restaurants.<ref>{{cite web|title=31 Piccadilly, Manchester, England|url=http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.481444,-2.236919&spn=0,359.990344&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.481443,-2.236919&panoid=qwp9Hqz1f3UkbxVBNqLIsA&cbp=12,66.75,,0,-8.3 |work=Google Street View|date=June 2015|access-date=25 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/game-over-as-nobles-amusements-to-be-evicted-857632 |title=Game over as Nobles Amusements to be evicted from Piccadilly arcade |date=April 2011 |publisher=Manchester Evening News |access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/piccadilly-gardens-woolworths-fire-building-1241264 |title=Piccadilly Gardens Woolworths fire building to be a hotel |date=25 January 2013 |publisher=Manchester Evening News |access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>
====Worcester====
On 1 October 1979, the Woolworths store located in Worcester's High Street was severely damaged in a large fire. There were no casualties but the store remained closed for several months until it re-opened in 1980. It was later discovered that the fire was purposely started by a disgruntled staff member, and was worsened by the fact there was no sprinkler system in the store.
====Wimbledon Broadway====
In 1981, a fire was discovered in a storeroom at the store in Wimbledon. Better staff training as a result of the Manchester fire led to a successful evacuation, but the building was totally destroyed by the blaze. A firefighter was killed when he and two colleagues became trapped when the upper levels of the building collapsed.<ref name="auto"/>
As a result of the damage caused to the reputation of the business by these events, the American parent owners decided to sell the British operation to Paternoster Stores, which was eventually renamed Kingfisher. The company actively promoted the use of smoke detectors after these fires, a policy which helped increase their usage and reduce their cost.<ref name="auto"/>
===Terrorism===
As a result of the targeting of high-profile British businesses in [[Northern Ireland]] by the [[Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) during [[The Troubles]], a number of Woolworth stores suffered significant damage.
====High Street, Belfast====
Being the flagship Woolworths store in Northern Ireland, this suffered a series of incendiary attacks, with one such attack in 1972 gutting the store. Owing to telephoned warnings, no-one was killed in any of these attacks.<ref name="auto"/>
====Bognor Regis Incident====
On the 3rd of August 1994, two bombs were planted in bags placed on bicycles outside Woolworths store.  The Bognor Regis bomb detonated damaging shops but resulted in no casualties, the Brighton bomb was located and defuzed. The one in Bognor Regis was hidden in the pannier of a bicycle and locked to a post outside the Woolworths general store, London Road.  15 shops were damaged after it exploded at closing time around 5:57 pm, littering the street with glass.
The Bognor Regis incident prompted a security alert along the south coast seaside resorts and the Brighton bike bomb was subsequently located. The Brighton bike bomb pannier contained 2.5kg of Semtex explosive along with an IRA Time Power Unit (TPU).
==== Bangor, County Down ====
Woolworths' store at 18/22 Main Street, Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland (Store No. 380) was targeted by terrorists on 30 March 1974 as part of co-ordinated incendiary bomb attack on the town centre.
At 5pm, a telephone warning was received that 15 incendiary devices had been placed in the town centre and were due to explode in 30 minutes. Immediate and successful efforts were made by the police to evacuate the commercial centre of the town, however there was inadequate time to prevent the devices from exploding. The Woolworths store was badly damaged after a device exploded on the sales floor. A policeman suffered concussion after he was blown off his feet by the blast from the device, and a female civilian was cut by flying debris.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bill.broadhurst/pageeleven.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050312134235/http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bill.broadhurst/pageeleven.htm|archive-date=12 March 2005|title=Bangor Fire Brigade: A brief history|first1=Bill|last1=Broadhurst|first2=Harry|last2=Welsh}}</ref>
Other stores targeted in the attack included the town's Co-operative Department Store and [[Wellworths|FA Wellworth Department Store]]. The town's Woolworths store was demolished after the attack. A new {{convert|8000|sqft|m2}} store was built on the same site, which reopened in the mid 1970s.
The rebuilt store suffered minor damage after a 200&nbsp;lb car bomb exploded a short distance away, near the town's FA Wellworth's store on the evening of 21 October 1992. Nobody was injured in the explosion, which occurred after most stores in the town centre had closed for the day. However, significant damage was caused to the entrance area of the Woolworths' store, with windows being blown out, the porch roof being destroyed and a small quantity of stock toward the front of the store being damaged. Additionally, minor structural damage was caused to the store's stockroom with two internal portioning walls adjacent to the generator room and fixtures store having to be rebuilt. The store recommenced trading on 23 October 1992.
==Music==
{{Main|Embassy Records}}
Woolworths was for many years a leader in the UK music industry. In the 1950s and well into the 1960s, Woolworths issued recordings available only via its stores on its own label [[Embassy Records]], produced and manufactured by [[Oriole Records (UK)|Oriole Records]]. These releases were double-sided singles featuring two cover versions of current hit singles sold at a much cheaper price. This venture was very successful at the time, but was eventually killed off when other record companies started to issue compilation albums. However, Woolworths remained in the music business selling a wide range of singles and albums, and remained the UK's biggest music retailer well into the 1990s. Even successful nationwide music specialists stores such as [[Virgin Megastores]] and [[HMV]] did not overtake Woolworths during this time. They later suffered from strong competition in this field from the large supermarket chains [[Tesco]] and [[Asda]].
==Cafés==
In the early days many Woolworths stores had cafés. However, as the years went on and many larger stores were either closed or downscaled, fewer stores had cafés. When the stores finally ceased trading in 2008/9, only around 10% of the stores had cafés. These were usually located at the back of the stores or, when a store had a second sales floor, they were located either in the basement or upstairs on the first floor. They sold the usual range of hot and cold drinks, with hot food available, including breakfasts and lunch-time meals.
==Subsidiaries==
===Entertainment UK===
{{Main|Entertainment UK}}
Entertainment UK (EUK) was founded as Record Merchandisers Limited in 1966 by EMI Records to distribute music to non-specialist retailers. It later became a joint venture between a number of record companies. Woolworths became Entertainment UK's largest customer and in 1986 Record Merchandisers Limited was acquired by Kingfisher plc. Record Merchandisers was renamed Entertainment UK in 1988.
EUK became the property of Woolworths Group plc after the de-merger from Kingfisher in 2001. In 2006, Woolworths Group acquired Total Home Entertainment Distribution Limited (THE) and combined it with EUK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.entuk.co.uk/content/17.chtml |title=History |access-date=5 January 2009 |publisher=EUK |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226230539/http://www.entuk.co.uk/content/17.chtml |archive-date=26 December 2008  }}</ref> In November 2007 the company acquired the book wholesaler and distributor [[Bertram Books]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsgroupplc.com/media/news_release_article.cfm?id=141 |publisher=Woolworths Group |title=Acquisition of Bertram Group Limited |date=17 January 2007 |access-date=17 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205132921/http://www.woolworthsgroupplc.com/media/news_release_article.cfm?id=141 |archive-date=5 December 2008  }}</ref>
EUK was the main supplier of [[Zavvi (retailer)|Zavvi]] under an exclusive supply deal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Virgin strikes exclusive EUK deal |url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/25499/Virgin-strikes-exclusive-EUK-deal |publisher=MCV |date=30 January 2007 |access-date=24 December 2008}}</ref> As a result of EUK entering into administration, on 24 December the music retailer was also forced into administration as it was unable to source stock on favourable terms direct from suppliers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zavvi placed into administration |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7798973.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=24 December 2008 |access-date=11 January 2009}}</ref> Zavvi later closed entirely, but still continues to this day as an online retailer.
===Streets Online===
Streets Online, founded in 1996 by Stephen Cole, was one of the pioneers of online retailing in the UK.  The company was the name behind the online bookseller Alphabetstreet and music site Audiostreet. 85% of the company was bought out by the Kingfisher Group in 2000 for £15.7 million,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1000096.stm |title=Kingfisher buys Streets Online |publisher=BBC News |date=31 October 2000 |access-date=29 December 2008}}</ref> and then became part of the Woolworths Group with its de-merger in 2001. It then became responsible for the web operations of [[Music and Video Club|MVC]] and Tesco. When Kingfisher bought this 85%, the remaining 15% was owned by Sky New Media Ventures (part of [[BSkyB]]).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2000/nov/01/business.newmedia1 |title=Kingfisher to share Streets Online with Sky |work=The Guardian |date=1 November 2000 |access-date=5 January 2009 | location=London | first=Julia | last=Snoddy}}</ref> In 2003 the company headquarters was moved to the EUK site in [[Hayes, Hillingdon|Hayes]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolworthsgroupplc.com/investors/prelims03/op_review.cfm |title=Woolworths Group plc:Preliminary Results Announcement 2003 |publisher=Woolworths Group plc |year=2006 |access-date=3 February 2008 |archive-date=29 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071129195327/http://www.woolworthsgroupplc.com/investors/prelims03/op_review.cfm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===2 Entertain===
{{Main|2 Entertain}}
2 Entertain was established in September 2004 as a joint venture between the Woolworths Group, and [[BBC Worldwide]]. It combined the group's former video publishing, music publishing and video production business ([[Video Collection International]]) with BBC Worldwide's former video publishing business ([[BBC Video]]), BBC Worldwide would hold 60%, while the Woolworths Group would hold 40%, additionally, both BBC Worldwide and Woolworths Group wanted 2 Entertain to better compete with the [[Major film studios|major studios]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/woolworths-bbc-strike-video-music-tv-deal/216165 | title=Woolworths and BBC strike video, music and TV deal }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Anticipated joint venture between BBC Worldwide Limited and Woolworths Group plc |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/555de461ed915d7ae2000131/bbc.pdf |publisher=Office of Fair Trading |date=30 September 2004}}</ref> After negotiations with Woolworth Group's administrators, BBC Worldwide purchased Woolworths' 40% stake in 2 Entertain in March 2010 for £17 million, taking full ownership of the company and would eventually be renamed [[BBC Studios Home Entertainment]] (although 2 Entertain is still the legal name of the company).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8549858.stm |title=BBC Worldwide buys remainder of DVD firm 2Entertain  |publisher=BBC News |date=4 March 2010 |access-date=15 August 2013}}</ref>
==Brands==
===Winfield===
The '''Winfield''' brand was launched by Woolworths in 1963 and continued until the 1980s. Goods sold under the brand included household cleaners, groceries, kitchenware, perfumes and other ranges such as [[fishing tackle]].<ref name="winfield">{{cite web |url=http://museum.woolworths.co.uk/1960s-ownbrands.htm |title=Launch of the Winfield own brand |work=Woolworths Virtual Museum |publisher=Woolworths |access-date=27 November 2008}}</ref>
===Chad Valley===
{{Main|Chad Valley (toy brand)}}
'''Chad Valley''' was launched in 1991 to create an own label range of merchandise. The Chad Valley brand name, which has been in existence since 1860, is used on a range of toys and games suitable for children under 8 years old. [[Home Retail Group]], then the parent company of [[Argos (retailer)|Argos]] and [[Homebase]], purchased the brand for £5 million on 20 January 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.retail-week.com/home-retail-group-buys-chad-valley-toy-brand/1970567.article |title=Home Retail Group buys Chad Valley toy brand |last=Harrison |first=Nicola |work=Retail Week |date=20 January 2009 |access-date=19 August 2013}}</ref> Chad Valley first appeared exclusively in the Autumn/Winter 2009 Argos catalogue.
===Ladybird===
{{Main|Ladybird (clothing)}}
'''Ladybird''' was a brand of children's wear for children aged 0–10 years which was sold exclusively in Woolworths stores. Before the collapse of the Woolworths chain it was ranked third overall in the childrenswear market, with a market share of 5%. Woolworths purchased rights to the Ladybird brand in 1984, purchasing it outright from [[Coats Group|Coats]] [[Viyella]] in 2001. The brand has a history which dates back to a trading partnership beginning in 1934 between the original firm [[Adolf Pasold & Son]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pasold.co.uk/history.html |title=Pasold history - Retrieved 18 November 2009 |access-date=18 November 2009 |archive-date=9 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109045433/http://www.pasold.co.uk/history.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Woolworths. On 1 February 2009, Shop Direct Group purchased the brand and whole rights from the administrators.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5627413.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612104240/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5627413.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 June 2011 |title=Littlewoods owner Shop Direct snaps up Ladybird |work=The Times |date=1 February 2009 |access-date=2 February 2009 | first1=Matthew | last1=Goodman | first2=Kate | last2=Walsh}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="teleg_history">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/recession/3528082/History-of-Woolworths.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916200411/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/recession/3528082/History-of-Woolworths.html|archive-date=16 September 2017|date=26 November 2008|publisher=The Telegraph|title=History of Woolworths|author=Graham Tibbetts|quote=That store in Liverpool was called FW Woolworths, a subsidiary of the US parent which was started in 1879 [..] Woolies [..] eventually came under British ownership in 1982}}</ref>
<ref name="bbc_cert">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/9Djs44ySTLumBE3Fo5gk-w|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713141944/http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/9Djs44ySTLumBE3Fo5gk-w|archive-date=13 July 2016|title=A History of the World - Object: Share Certificate from F. W. Woolworth|publisher=BBC|website=bbc.co.uk|quote=Woolworths Group plc originally was the British unit of F.W. Woolworths, but operated independently as a separate company from 1982.}}
</ref>
}}
==External links==
{{Wikinews|UK retailers MFI and Woolworths collapse}}
{{Commons category|Woolworths Group (United Kingdom)}}
* [http://www.woolworthsmuseum.co.uk/ Woolworths Virtual Museum]
{{FT 30 constituents}}
{{Kingfisher Plc}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Defunct companies based in London]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1909]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1909]]
[[Category:British companies disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:Retail companies disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:Defunct retail companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defunct department stores of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:F. W. Woolworth Company]]
[[Category:1969 disasters in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom]]