Is Woolworths really going bust?

[mamadiva]

Have just heard this on the news, am shocked because Woolworths seems to be such a well known and busy store.

I know they've had to lower their prices etc but surely that would have made them stronger.

They are looking for someone to take them over and could be sold for £1.

Sorry I know this is a bit daft and hardly important but it's quite sad to think that a shop that everyone I know loves especially for there kids is going down after so many years!

I agree lalalonglegs. It just wouldn't be christmas without woolies.

My first job whilst I was still at school was in Woolies too. We had to wear Navy shapeless pinafores and stripy navy and cream blouses.

Oooh, I was mid-80s Woolies when it was static-producing A-line overall with headache-inducing pattern in pixellated navy, red and white and lighting that made you look as if you had just got up off a slab. Abiding memory is that they had these bitter middle-aged women in charge who used to resent giving you change so by the end of the day, you had to make up £3.85-worth of change in 2p pieces. Happy days

I think they're a goner (and they won't be the last).

Woolworths near me is quite good, agree you can get some real bargains, great for Party presents.
Stil happy with my Playmobil aeroplane bought for £13 delivered (safely in the garage for DS2's Christmas present).

Agree it's got Theo's name all over it!

Another one here whose first Saturday job was in Woolies

To be honest, I'm surprised they've lasted this long.

And yes, W H Smith will be next IMO.

Ooh, we love Woolies! Have got really into it over the past 12 months - and dh enjoys going too ! Found winter coats for both dcs for (a lot) less than it costs to fill the car and its brilliant for birthday presents, cheap cards and wrapping paper and 'making kits' for wet afternoons. I can happily bimble around the Muswell Hill/Crouch End branches for hours on end, given the chance....

I like our Woolworths because it's in town - it's less hassle than driving to the Tesco Extra so I go in there a lot for sweets, newspapers, light bulbs, sellotape, wrapping paper etc. Their Green & Blacks is 1.75 - Somerfield (directly opposite) charges 2.09 .

Their clothes are a bit of a mixed bag but they have the odd gem and it's either that or drive to our large out of town Mothercare (whihc is just as unpleasant) or get the bus into the city.

They do have an awful lot of tat though - the store could be half the size and still sell all the things I'd want.

@ lalalonglegs & Forever Optimistic. Woolies was my first ever Saturday job too and I remember well that lovely blue/red/white nylon uniform.
I worked on the pic 'n' mix dept, weighing out all the sweets, then I was promoted to the tills. I always wanted to work on the record counter but they gave that job to the cool girls.
I hope it doesn't go, although it could probably do with a bit of a revamp!!

I was a manager at Woolies before I had DS2 (they weren't exactly family friendly so I had to leave ) and they were starting to struggle then. The problem is that they lack focus - trying to do too much rather than concentrating and refining the areas they should shine in.

It was my best job ever, despite hugely unsocial hours (between 56 and 70 hour weeks, despite being salaried for 36) and godawful pay. The 'Golden Quarter', this time running up to Christmas, was really hard work but loads of fun.

I'll be sad if they fail, but tbh they won't, they'll get bought out and have a bit of a spruce up and a few redundancies.

Ours closed recently and I really miss it! It was near enough fot the DC to scooter there on their own and buy sweets, and look at the toys and feel grown up. yesterday I came out tof the hairdressers, it was raining and I thought @i'll just pop into Woolies for a rain-hat....oh, no its gone...

Is this why they have hardly any nativity costumes in anywhere or online? Couldn't get a Mary costume anywhere!

A sliver lining to the cloud then - childdren will be dressed for Nativity plays in the traditional way - dad's shirt, a pillowcase for an apron and a tea towel!

Not sure that Woolworths sell anything that you couldn't buy elsewhere, now that the supermarkets sell stuff like magazines, stationary and toys. I would imagine that Boots and WHSmith are suffering for the same reasons.

Woolworths has a very distinctive smell though!

Woolies is a god-send in our little town -its saved us on many an occasion as it always seems to have what you're looking for.

Off the top of my head I recall our old Xmas tree lights blowing up on Xmas eve ....Woolies saved the day, the only shop in town with any left and they were reduced.

New Years eve, needed a cocktail shaker....again Woolies had one!

Its also good for random things that you can't buy anywhere else in a small town like fabric dye, replacement hot water bottle, ironing board cover (all things I've needed in a hurry and found there recently)

Selling random useful things hasn't helped post offices to stay open.

Maybe there should be a government grant available to ensure that all small towns have a shop that sells random useful things. There could be a list of things they have to provide like string.

I'm sure they say Woolies is going to go bust during every recession. It's a tradition.

Although it does sound bad this time...

Nooo!!

I love Woolies.
We love Woolies. Ds will never let us walk past 'warwoods' without going in to look for transformers

I like their lovely cheapo bits and bobs.

I also feel sorry for the staff. Underpaid and underloved
Mind you some of them are rude bints.

I'll be if Woolies goes. I like the kids clothes.

WH Smith is much worse and I can't see how it survives? Our's still shuts at 5:30, just as people finish work, while all the other shops are open 'til 6.

woolies have been going under for years.

They have so much competition now, from supermarkets and places like Wilkinsons, that they don't offer anything different. They tried to diversify and lost what it was that made them woolies.

4/5 years ago we were cut back to minimal staffing levels and then some. We couldn't afford the staff to keep to health and safety levels nevermind enough to keep store clean and tidy, well stocked etc.

Wages weren't exactly competitive - minimum wage, no overtime. Managers salaries were a lot less than could be got elsewhere.

Woolies have been going down for ages, unless someone can take over and restore the brand.

Afraid not seeker - ebay has plenty of costumes. Not cost much different to having to go and buy material and teatowels TBh either - and far less hassle.

I hate that it's going bust. It will no doubt close down in the small town I live in and will be another empty shop. Where I live there were lots of small shops and a few high street names but gradually they are closing down as can't keep up with the Trafford Centre which is near by. It's really sad.

When I was on mat leave I loved walking around our town centre but it now looks so beleagured as the recession bites and busineses look deadly quiet or are even shut. The pound shops and charity shops move in and make you feel you are living in a no man's land.

They been in trouble for ages.
Some of their suppliers had alredy either put them on stop or were insisting on weekly or even proforma invoices!
They were having meetings every morning to decide which bills to pay!!!

Real shame though! It'd be nice if the company was going to be sold as a going concern, but I doubt that'll happen.

Great another poundstretcher will replace it no doubt, where I live.

Hope someone decent buys it as it is a perfect shop if you have kids under 10.

Aww, I hope it doesn't close. It's really useful in our small town, have to admit when I lived in the sprawling metropolis I didn't give it a second look. The staff in ours are really nice too.