SAVE OUR WOOLWORTH'S CAMPAIGN - who's in?

[Enraha]

Right MNers. While it's not my favourite shop in the world and it's business strategy is probably a bit screwed up; I think it's going to be a sorry day if Woolies leaves the high street.

I have just been for a last-ditch supportive shop and strongly suggest you do the same if you can this week.

You could get some gift-wrap, chrimbo cards or bargainiferous toys, a lady-themed toolkit or a strange gimmicky household cleaning item. C'mon!

Fio , thought of you last night- hope you're OK?

I like Wollies, a lot. If it goes we'll have no toyshop bar a tiny ELC< no kids clothes bar asda and a really expensive esigner outlet... it fills so many gaps.

Fio I can't think what but if there is anything I can do if you lose your job, you know where I am.

I will go in tomorrow- the have Reese's Peanut Butter Cups after all

From our local paper - Proposed rescue

i know. i rely on their 3 for 2 every year for xmas pressies. if they go next year i will have to brave the mad shopping centre and go to boots.

wetherspoons have been trying to get into a little town for years. if woolies goes they'll probably get in there. great!

Just got back from our store, it was packed! One seagull type lady was braying in the next aisle about how astonishingly cheap everything was, maybe this publicity's drawing in new customers???

I couldn't get the dressing up shoes I wanted in dd2's size but didn't want to leave empty handed and bought some craft paper to be supportive.

I hope our Woolies stays open, because otherwise I'll have to be much more organised with kids parties, or pay over-inflated prices at the local toy shop. Our Woolworths can be hell, though, particularly at weekends, because there are so many people there, most of whom are actually buying.

I went in to look for stuff for dd. The shelves were really bare and there was nothing useful. Our one is always poorly stocked and messy, it's no wonder they are losign money.

I will miss the pick and mix.

I think a combination of tesco direct, argos and other fat catalogues did for Woolies.

It is just dreadful the way staff found out about it

Big Woolies fan here too.

I haven't followed the business analysis, but very interested to hear about the small-town-profitability vs. big-city-failures. I'd love to know what it is that takes away Woolies' business in the cities, as far as I'm concerned (and I'm in London, obviously couldn't be bigger) they have a niche no-one else is in. Is it things like online retailing, which people don't do quite so much of when (as in small places) they have a Woolies in walking distance? Is Argos the competitor? - but if so why doesn't that affect the small towns too?

Perhaps what we each use Woolies for (and accordingly our alternative sources or lack of) is relevant? How about a survey? I use it for:

• basic children's clothes [alternatives: H&M in particular]

• good value basic slippers/wellies/gloves/hats [alternatives: Mothercare for little ones; NONE for older children]

• dressing up clothes [alternatives: NONE as good]

• toys, especially outdoor ones [alternatives: I suppose mall specialists like Toys'r'Us, not that I've ever done that]

• stationery [alternatives: Ryman, WH Smith: lots]

• DVDs & CDs [alternatives: Amazon etc. - can easily see this bit is over-competed]

• weird & wonderful novelty confectionery [alternatives: NONE (sob)]

Aw thats nice Fio.

Ours is a massive branch (Cwmbran), no idea what could fill it. I couldn't see they would keep it though (might downsize), am certain the former big w will go too in Newport.

I like Woolies but I have to say I don't buy an awful lot from there these days. The twos hops near me have been looking incredibly neglected for ages - dirty, untidy and empty shelves - and the last couple of times I have looked for something specific, they haven't had it.

They have an amazing brand in Ladybird clothes which they could really make more of - this combined with the toys and the general household stuff ought to be their core markets imo. There is too much competition in dvds, cds etc.

Really sorry for everyone whose jobs may be affected

Administrative receivership means that (usually) a firm of accountants is appointed by the bank to find a buyer for the company. It's in their interests to run the stores as going concerns. It's also in their interests to sell the stores.

It is not the same as liquidation.

Someone might yet buy Woolies. I hope so!

Sorry, Woolworths has failed because Woolworths was not meeting the needs of the market. I do use it for occasional bits and bobs - great for dressing up clothes and cheap trainers for PE! but not what I would call a big spender. I think they had lost their way. In the CD/Toy markets there are just too many others out there selling the same stuff. I must admit they probably do fulfil a need for those who can't get to say a big out of town Tescos or whatever. But not enough to get all sentimental and want to save them. It's called market forces.

And FioFio I am genuinely sorry about your personal situation and for others losing their jobs. Not gloating by any means.

Th reason iI shop in Woolies is that they have the best range of toys apart from Toysrus. However Toysrus is on the retail park I don;t go too very often and I end up loosing the will to live in there it is so big and impersonal.

Woolies is withing walking distance from my kids school. There is an Argos in town too but they are usually more expensive.

aw, Fio - Big hgs.

DS made 3 posters at the weekend 'Shop at Woolies! No shopping leads to sad faces'...and i REALLY don't want yours to be one of the sad faces.

By far the best here for toys- and itb blessed location wise as the free car park lift comes out there (as does asda but smallish asda)

clothes are fab but they seem to have less and less and more crud- why so many cushions? leave that to wilko!

I know what you mean Fio. I've been so cagey on here. TBH I don't know a lot more than what was on C4 news last night, but it's really difficult knowing what to say without giving too much away. Or even being in breach of contract. I hadn't even thought of being quoted in the press tbh, I was more concerned with someone from head office reading it & finding out who I am.

Is it really closing down ???

I found my local woolies rather depressing, but have missed it since moving back to the continent. Last item I bought there was a superb plastic tablecloth