Woolworths, a name on a store that never ceases to boggle my mind when in Britain as on nearly every High Street it seems there are still old-fashioned 'dime stores' with the same Woolworths logo on them as the Woolworth's that once dominated main street retailing in America as well. But it's been a few decades since Woolworths abandoned retail in the States. (Woolworth's in U.S.; Woolworths in U.K.)

And for the tourist Woolworths are also handy for postcards, film and just about any needs for the traveler.

But an article in today's USA Today says the British chain may be lucky to survive even thru the Christmas selling season.

The headline: <Discount Chain in Trouble in Britain - Woolworths eyes liquidation.>

And starts 'one of Britain's most cherished American imports - Woolworths is in danger of disappearing about nearly a century of business...'

'Woolies' as it's 'affectionately known in Britain' still operates 815 stores and employs 30,000

Woolworths started in Britain in 1909 - Frank Woolworth opened the first store in Liverpool. The stores were sold to British interests in 1982 and also operates Woolworths in Germany, Mexico and South Africa.

Why is Woolworths losing market share and going belly up? experts quoted in the article say they are shocked that Woolies have survived so long

'have you ever been in one of the stores lately? It's hopeless' one said - saying that he thought perhaps the only reason the chain remained open is due to their well located stores - on many High Streets with lots of foot traffic passing by.


But it does look like the end of the road for Woolworths in Britain and i for one will also lament their passing as a time trip for me and other Americans too i suspect.

Flanneur's yer man for this, but apparently the supermarkets are sniffing round the carcass as all woolies have planning permission to sell food....

Ah but I read that Theo Paphitis is thinking of making an offer - surely he can resurrect it if anyone can?

Maybe it will be a bit like S S Kresge, Woolworth's main rival in the American five and dime business.

Like Woolworth's Kresge's lost out to shopping malls and big box stores on the edges of towns (including their own K-Marts)- but they also had key locations and typically owned the structures - they then went out of business as five and dime but became landlords.

Has PQ just sobered up?

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35169352

>>>>>
Why is Woolworths losing market share and going belly up? experts quoted in the article say they are shocked that Woolies have survived so long
>>>>>>

i agree with the experts. woolworths is a dinosaur concept that has not adapted to modern retailing (but few uk retailers have). they are not price/cost leaders nor are they differentiated. if the store locations can sell groceries, the space would be best used by an aldi or lidl...retailers that understand price/cost leadership and have an innovative concept. the problem i think is that aldi and lidl are usually found with car parks in more suburban locations while woolies are located in the town centres or shopping malls.

aldi and lidl are also among the few retailers that i believe will be looking to expand in this economy.

out with the old and in with the new. good riddance and please don't come back...and while you are at it, take our other useless, dinosaur retailers like m&s and argos with you. the 'high street' needs a revolution. every one in the country is the same and they are all lack innovation. i can think of few things less inspiring than a walk down a uk high street.

I think when Woolworth's closed up shop in U.S. they also owned Foot Locker (or similar mall chain)- i wonder if thus Woolworth's is still in retailing or completely gone here?

As if this has nothing to do with the credit crunch. Dream on, people.

Logos - have you met Walkingaround?

You two are simply made for each other.

I'm not even slightly arrogant!
Quite a difference. In what way do you fit into the game?

Matchmaker.

My work here is done.

Don't you just have to love this guy!

<Don't you just have to love this guy!>

Who - walkingaround or C W? Can't love em both!

and though Woolies disappearance duh yeh has something to do with the economy crisis the weakest also fall the first - old cluttered stores

In the article is was suggested that Gordon Brown, nonetheless, is asking for a bailout of Woolworths!

>>>>>>
Logos - have you met Walkingaround?

You two are simply made for each other.
>>>>>>

no, we don't get along and i do not align myself with this individual.

logos hates britain because he is part of the axis of evil. actually, i think he only hates america...he just needs to include britain when he predicts doom for america because we are in worse shape and it would be disingenuous to focus on america's doom while ignoring our own.

i love my country and offer only constructive criticisms (unfortunately often misconstrued by fodor's flag waving, 'love it or leave it', provincial types).

CW for his viciousness. And the other guy for his endless arrogance. Can he get any better!!?

<CW for his viciousness. And the other guy for his endless arrogance. Can he get any better!!?>

Yes - flanner.co.uk for combining qualities of both

<i>I think when Woolworth's closed up shop in U.S. they also owned Foot Locker (or similar mall chain)- i wonder if thus Woolworth's is still in retailing or completely gone here?</i>


The F. W. Woolworth Company (often referred to as Woolworth's) was a retail company that was one of the original American five-and-dime stores. The first Woolworth's store was founded, with a loan of $300, in 1878 by Frank Winfield Woolworth. Despite growing to be one of the largest retail chains in the world through most of the 20th century, increased competition led to its decline beginning in the 1980s. In 1997, F. W. Woolworth Company converted itself into a sporting goods retailer, closing its remaining retail stores operating under the &quot;Woolworth's&quot; brand name and renaming itself Venator Group. By 2001, the company focused exclusively on the sporting goods market, changing its name to the present Foot Locker Inc. (Added: The company also owned the Kinney shoe store chain but closed that about 10 years ago)

sf/307 - thank you for that detailed history of Wooloworth's/Foot Locker. So they still do live!

sigh... i remember as a child sitting in one of the diner chairs at woolworths, 42nd street/3rd ave nyc, and enjoying fried chicken and biscuit. mmmmm.... and i got my cabbage patch kid doll from there... i miss woolworths..

I remember as a white suburban kid who never came in contact with Blacks going downtown to a big city and being amazed by the fingers and hands of Woolworth's workers at the food counter - seeing that their skin was white in fingers and hands because of the constant dish washing - i thought.