Woolworths could make a return to UK high streets
The once-omnipresent Woolworths brand could make its return to British high streets, the retailer’s chief executive has said.
The retailer collapsed in 2009 following the global financial crisis, however its German division was rescued by HH Holding.
HH Holdings chief Roman Heini told Retail Week that bringing the Woolworths brand back to British high streets is on his “bucket list”.
The brand has over 600 stores in Europe, where it is known as ‘Woolworth’. The majority of its stores are based in Germany but the brand has recently found success in Poland and Austria, too.
Heini – who has formerly held executive positions at both Aldi and Lidl – has been Woolworth chief executive since 2020.
He told Retail Week that despite challenges, he believes there is an opportunity to “make Woolworth great again”.
Woolworths originated in the US but had operated in the UK for 100 years before its collapse, becoming a high street staple. In 2009, the retailer had 807 British stores but problems with finances and increased competition led to the brand’s exit.
Woolworth Germany told the BBC it was “unable to confirm any plans for Woolworth to return to the UK market” but did not rule out the brand’s return in principle.
The retailer’s offer has changed since it was a UK mainstay, pivoting from pick ‘n’ mix, CD’s, and childrenswear towards clothing and homeware at more affordable prices. Heini told Retail Week that of the 10,000 products that Woolworth sells, 6,000 are priced at €3 (£2.57) or below. “To match that online, at least until today, is very difficult, if not impossible,” he said.
On a potential return for the brand, Heini feels optimistic about its reception in the UK:
“I don’t know of any brands where the recognition will be as high as it is in Britain, without having any stores”, he said.
