Woolworths has gone bust
#34
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we had two wollie shops by us when i were a lad,and never really bothered with any of them,I think the last thing i got from their was the Prodigy Album,back in the early 90's..
#39
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had to laugh at the irony of everybody on the news last night saying pretty much the same thing, in what they thought was a true "comedy way"
"ohh where will i steal pic-n-mic from now? it will be a shame that its gone"
so the people who stole from it, are sorry its gone?
"ohh where will i steal pic-n-mic from now? it will be a shame that its gone"
so the people who stole from it, are sorry its gone?
#41
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I agree it's a shame about Woolies, but thinking back - all I ever actually bought from them was a few chocs for people at Xmas.
Games and DVDs? Online, of course.
Kitchen stuff? Much better selection at any department store, cookshop or even supermarket.
Toys? Bit old for those now, but I imagine kids today have just as good an idea of what they want as I did when I was little, so mail order again.
DIY? Straight to B&Q, Homebase or Focus.
Stationary? Staples or Smiths.
To me, Woolies were always a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. Seeing them go is a shame, but I'm just not that sure I'll really miss them...
Games and DVDs? Online, of course.
Kitchen stuff? Much better selection at any department store, cookshop or even supermarket.
Toys? Bit old for those now, but I imagine kids today have just as good an idea of what they want as I did when I was little, so mail order again.
DIY? Straight to B&Q, Homebase or Focus.
Stationary? Staples or Smiths.
To me, Woolies were always a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. Seeing them go is a shame, but I'm just not that sure I'll really miss them...
#43
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On a more positive note it looks like the Currys/PCWorld/Dixons group could also go the same way at some point in the future. Recorded a £30m loss for the first half of this year BBC NEWS | Business | PC World owner reports £30m loss
Useless staff, overpriced goods, hard selling of breakdown insurance, it won't be missed.
Internet shopping is the way forward
Useless staff, overpriced goods, hard selling of breakdown insurance, it won't be missed.
Internet shopping is the way forward
#44
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It would be nice to see some of their premises turned into covered market areas where specialist local businesses, who cannot afford the rates and overheads of a high street shop, could have a presence. I mean a permanent base, not just a few trestle tables on a Saturday morning selling tat. But they would be sharing the overheads which might be workable? Try and get back some of the businesses that have closed in recent years like say, a model shop, a fishmonger, dress makers etc. Add the modern touch like a creche perhaps with a central area to have a snack and coffee. Can't see it happening though! dl
#45
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On a more positive note it looks like the Currys/PCWorld/Dixons group could also go the same way at some point in the future. Recorded a £30m loss for the first half of this year BBC NEWS | Business | PC World owner reports £30m loss
Useless staff, overpriced goods, hard selling of breakdown insurance, it won't be missed.
Internet shopping is the way forward
Useless staff, overpriced goods, hard selling of breakdown insurance, it won't be missed.
Internet shopping is the way forward
5t.
#46
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It would be nice to see some of their premises turned into covered market areas where specialist local businesses, who cannot afford the rates and overheads of a high street shop, could have a presence. I mean a permanent base, not just a few trestle tables on a Saturday morning selling tat. But they would be sharing the overheads which might be workable? Try and get back some of the businesses that have closed in recent years like say, a model shop, a fishmonger, dress makers etc. Add the modern touch like a creche perhaps with a central area to have a snack and coffee. Can't see it happening though! dl
markets like this were common towards the end of the 80's where people had been buying up town centre supermarkets (as the trend shifted to out of town) for later retail development. the market was climbing still, so those who had bought and then caught a cold, did the best they could with the portfolios at the time - exactly what you have described above.....maybe it will go full circle...?
#47
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martin's money tips? i forwarded that to mrs g this morning (about 2am GMT). presume she knows though as she will have heard about woolies on the radio i expect.
used to buy clothes there for little miss g but never really anything else, so it's a shame, but they won't be the last to go
#49
Saw this on the news and having worked there for a year a while back, in the IT dept with BurgerKing it does sadden me, shame for all the employees having this land, at any time its bad but before Christmas its worse.
I think it wasnt so much that Woolies were caught napping, having worked there my abiding impression was that they were always hustling to try and claw back some market share, Tesco's and the other big shops moving out into Woolies key areas is a big part of it, the internet obviously but they did have a fairly good site but with Amazon and the like it was a tough area to be in.
Also, being in the high street and a lot of people going to out of town shopping centres (something they were never very good at) meant that the footfall was much lower as so many go everywhere by car, I remember as a kid going to Woolies in Stockport on the Bus with my mum, but as the retail parks emerged it became less common, same as retail parks are so souless and samey.
To be honest, when I was there last, 18 months ago there was still some optimism for the future of Woolies but I could see it ebbing away and there was a feeling of impending doom some days.
I suspect the name may go on in some form but a British institution has gone along with many jobs, so I think that some of the crass comments are uncalled for, I hope that the people that comment along those lines manage to keep their jobs and their employers dont go under.
I suppose on one hand, for BurgerKing, it may seem like doom and gloom mate but I think I remember you saying you fancied a change, the job market isnt great but with your skills I think you will be ok, you will probably end up better off, I must admit, I have been since leaving there, mainly cos I didnt have to work with that grumpy cow anymore
I think it wasnt so much that Woolies were caught napping, having worked there my abiding impression was that they were always hustling to try and claw back some market share, Tesco's and the other big shops moving out into Woolies key areas is a big part of it, the internet obviously but they did have a fairly good site but with Amazon and the like it was a tough area to be in.
Also, being in the high street and a lot of people going to out of town shopping centres (something they were never very good at) meant that the footfall was much lower as so many go everywhere by car, I remember as a kid going to Woolies in Stockport on the Bus with my mum, but as the retail parks emerged it became less common, same as retail parks are so souless and samey.
To be honest, when I was there last, 18 months ago there was still some optimism for the future of Woolies but I could see it ebbing away and there was a feeling of impending doom some days.
I suspect the name may go on in some form but a British institution has gone along with many jobs, so I think that some of the crass comments are uncalled for, I hope that the people that comment along those lines manage to keep their jobs and their employers dont go under.
I suppose on one hand, for BurgerKing, it may seem like doom and gloom mate but I think I remember you saying you fancied a change, the job market isnt great but with your skills I think you will be ok, you will probably end up better off, I must admit, I have been since leaving there, mainly cos I didnt have to work with that grumpy cow anymore
#50
Their website has a very subtle
"Our site is currently undergoing essential maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Please check back later. "
Which looks as though someone has just pulled he plug on their servers.
Steve
"Our site is currently undergoing essential maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Please check back later. "
Which looks as though someone has just pulled he plug on their servers.
Steve
#51
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Deloitte say it will remain trading through Xmas, so I would guess that the shelves will fill back up soon, otherwise its a bit pointless keeping them open.
mate looks to lose his job right though it.
mate looks to lose his job right though it.
#52
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Not necessarily, the liquidators will want to shift all the remaining stock if they can and pay off at least a percentage of what is owed to Woolies creditors. Probably start reducing the staffing as the stock levels get lower hence reducing ongoing costs further
#53
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People who supply direct to the stores i.e. Walkers crisps will no longer be delivering. Basically when the Woolworths warehouses run out of stock that will be that unless somebody takes them over in their current form, which seems unlikely.
The store my Mum runs think they have enough stock to get through the weekend, after that it's anyones guess what will happen.
The store my Mum runs think they have enough stock to get through the weekend, after that it's anyones guess what will happen.
#54
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However im sure we will get told that we are in the best position to cope with the downturn, and that our leaders are getting on with the job.
#55
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On a more positive note it looks like the Currys/PCWorld/Dixons group could also go the same way at some point in the future. Recorded a £30m loss for the first half of this year BBC NEWS | Business | PC World owner reports £30m loss
Useless staff, overpriced goods, hard selling of breakdown insurance, it won't be missed.
Internet shopping is the way forward
Useless staff, overpriced goods, hard selling of breakdown insurance, it won't be missed.
Internet shopping is the way forward
I have gone in there TWICE with the intention of buying a laptop and ended up almost storming out when almost ignored and treated like a turd. And when I have managed to speak to someone, I always know MUCH more than them. Utterly hopeless mega outlet. I hate them and would only go in the direst of dire emergencies (e.g. needed some software).
Tech Guys who they own have made things slightly better - but only very slightly.
#56
I have never been able to understand how PC World survives.
I have gone in there TWICE with the intention of buying a laptop and ended up almost storming out when almost ignored and treated like a turd. And when I have managed to speak to someone, I always know MUCH more than them. Utterly hopeless mega outlet. I hate them and would only go in the direst of dire emergencies (e.g. needed some software).
Tech Guys who they own have made things slightly better - but only very slightly.
I have gone in there TWICE with the intention of buying a laptop and ended up almost storming out when almost ignored and treated like a turd. And when I have managed to speak to someone, I always know MUCH more than them. Utterly hopeless mega outlet. I hate them and would only go in the direst of dire emergencies (e.g. needed some software).
Tech Guys who they own have made things slightly better - but only very slightly.
The staff are a different issue altogether as they generally do not have a clue and just prey on the old and unknowledgable.
Steve
#57
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That's fine - in fact it's the best way I've seen for a company to use its 'bricks and mortar' presence to gain a competitive advantage on the web site. On many occasions I've ordered stuff online and gone straight to the store to pick it up.
The price difference if you DON'T order in advance can be pretty shocking, though...
Last year I wanted to buy a laptop, and I figured it was as good a place as any to start looking. But, without exception, every single one was showing a looping video advertising the store and Windows bl**dy Vista, which you couldn't break out of without a password. How am I supposed to check if the keyboard is comfortable and responsive if I can't even fire up Notepad?
(And no, I don't want to be 'helped' by someone who can barely read the tech specs off the little cards with the price tags in lieu of actual advice, and who will tell me to get a faster CPU so I can surf the Internet quicker...)
The price difference if you DON'T order in advance can be pretty shocking, though...
Last year I wanted to buy a laptop, and I figured it was as good a place as any to start looking. But, without exception, every single one was showing a looping video advertising the store and Windows bl**dy Vista, which you couldn't break out of without a password. How am I supposed to check if the keyboard is comfortable and responsive if I can't even fire up Notepad?
(And no, I don't want to be 'helped' by someone who can barely read the tech specs off the little cards with the price tags in lieu of actual advice, and who will tell me to get a faster CPU so I can surf the Internet quicker...)
#59
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martin's money tips? i forwarded that to mrs g this morning (about 2am GMT). presume she knows though as she will have heard about woolies on the radio i expect.
used to buy clothes there for little miss g but never really anything else, so it's a shame, but they won't be the last to go
used to buy clothes there for little miss g but never really anything else, so it's a shame, but they won't be the last to go
Its a real shame, when i was a kid and it was easter woolies used to do buy one get one free on easter eggs a few days after easter me and my brother used to go in and buy like 10 easter eggs
I'll miss doing that now!
Steph xx
#60
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I thought I'd do my bit and get my daughter some clothes for Christmas in there yesterday. Asked for a gift receipt in case the clothes don't fit, but I guess the paper it's written on is more than it's worth now!
Oh well, good memories of Woolies. We ordered a bathroom cabinet a few weeks ago from MFI and even though everything is OK with it, I was loathed to pay £12 delivery for it, so they let us off for a fiver. It all went wrong for them when you couldn't collect stuff. They said it's because you needed huge amounts of space to keep things in stock. I thought IKEA are doing OK by having most things in stock!
Oh well, sorry if anyone's affected by this. At least working for the public sector I can rest a bit easier.
Oh well, good memories of Woolies. We ordered a bathroom cabinet a few weeks ago from MFI and even though everything is OK with it, I was loathed to pay £12 delivery for it, so they let us off for a fiver. It all went wrong for them when you couldn't collect stuff. They said it's because you needed huge amounts of space to keep things in stock. I thought IKEA are doing OK by having most things in stock!
Oh well, sorry if anyone's affected by this. At least working for the public sector I can rest a bit easier.