Woolworths online – is back up! (Almost)

As regualr readers will know, we reported recently that the Wooloworths website and online store seemed to close very prematurely (before the high street stores) in mid-November, despite our claims that it was probably one of their prized assets.

However, news out this morning states that Woolworths’ online , and the brand name, has been given the kiss of life and more energy filled supplements than you’d find in a large bag of pick n mix.

The move brings the famous brand and URL under the control of Sir David and Frederick Barclay, famous for owning The Telegraph and a large house on their Island next to Sark in the Channel Islands.
Shop Direct the UK’s largest shopping retailer, which also owns brands such as the Littlewoods catalogue, plans to launch Woolworths online in the summer following the deal to buy the brand for an undisclosed sum.

But Shop Direct, which has also bought Woolworths’ childrenswear brand Ladybird, said it was confident that the store would “stay at the heart of British retailing” as an online presence.

However, in a strange bid to sell exactly what people want – the old holding page has been replaced by a new Questionnaire, asking “what you liked or disliked about Woolworths” – looks like the branding people will have a lot on their hands. Watch this space.