Woolworths??

[History]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7741199.stm

[mrn]

You'd have to think the Woolworths in town does pretty good and is profitable?

[elaine]

what will i do if woolies close down ....... i visit that shop about 4 times a day when i come back on holiday ....

[Kintyre Forum News]

Whilst being served in Comet today a message flashed up on the salesman's screen to say that all staff should be aware that Woolworth's had went into administration this afternoon and that no Kingfisher vouchers were to be honoured if a customer presented them.

[Sheik Yir Erse]

I heard this morning that trading had been suspended on their shares, never a good sign. Shares were trading at 1p It came as little surprise to hear this evening they had gone into Administration.

Another employment blow to Campbeltown? Hopefully not, and a buyer can be found for them, and soon.

MFI has also gone into Administration, could be a house of cards for some retailers, who are desperately trying to see things through until Christmas.

[Sheik Yir Erse]

......that no Kingfisher vouchers were to be honoured if a customer presented them.

I thought that Woolworths had been spun out of Kingfisher quite a while ago???

[numberplease]

I can`t imagine life without a Woollies wherever I go. I can remember the days when they sold food as well, cooked meats, cheese, eggs, cakes and biscuits, and the great big, solid, dark wood counters.

[4th gen Suthen']

.....

[£3.73]

terrible really ... I suppose it isn't that big of a deal ... unless you happen to live in a town where Woolworths IS the deal.

[kbm]

Kingfisher de-merged from Woolies around 8 years ago. The Kingfisher gift vouchers were still sold after that in Woolies and Comet. B & Q phased them out soon after the de-merger. A sad day that a company the size of Woolies can go into administration. Just shows you that Tesco & Asda etc don't just hit your small local shops! Hopefully the receivers will manage to salvage some of the business but it's inevitable that Woolies as we know it, is gone. I still have alot of friends in Woolies in and around central Scotland and this will be a hard and worrying time for them. The timing couldn't be worse business wise and personally for all involved as Christmas is their busiest and most profitable time of the year. I hope the Woolies in the town survives.

[LANDROVER ROGER]

I believe that the decision by Woolworth to purchase Total Home Entertainment was too hasty as that company was going no-where.This may well have been the start of the demise.

[tilly]

Like Kevin i worked in Woolworths for many years and am very to hear about them going into Administration. Woolworths always seemed to fair well, and being one of our larger shops was the heart of the centre of town. Many people spend hours browsing and purchasing from Woolworths from the young to the elderly. Hopefully someone will take over this large premises and jobs will be saved. Things are hard enough in this town with unemployment never mind more people being put out of work.
I hope everything works out for the good of all concerned.
Tilly

[maxmix]

Unfortunate these 815 shops are on the line.... Mis management (At the top) and they never moved with the times....

Once Tesco and Asda got there grip on the electrical side of things in the UK, that was the end (Slow in coming) for these shops.....

Pity also about the jobs..... and I cant see anyone bailing these large shops out either....

Zavvi stores (Virgin) Wont be long to follow..... I also here The Dixons group is not doing too good either....

Where will it end.....

maxmix

(PS Yes the Campbeltown branch is busy) But there are a lot of overheads involved in that branch, especially wages and rates.... Very hard to survive in this climate with a store that size with not many new customers.....

I know when I go on holiday, I try to stay clear of Woolies.... Same stuff in every store (Which is the same in a lot of outlets) Hopefully the local traders can keep going..... I wish them the best of luck

[EMDEE]

There are probably none of us who can say that we have never supported the supermarket giants. The object of these organizations is obviously to make money, and they can undercut all other traders to do this. We never think when we go to Tesco or wherever to save a few pounds, of what we are doing to the local economy, i.e that we are contributing to the creation of a monopoly situation that will leave us with very little choice. Woolworths is probably the biggest casualty of the supermarkets. What would Main Street be like if Woolworths was standing empty? At least it brings a bit of activity to the street. Also, the big doors at the corner are great for shelter if a heavy shower comes on.

What we need to remember is that the supermarkets would not be able to do this without our support, and really it is not these companies who are killing other businesses, it is the consumer across the country voting with their wallet and opting to patronize them. Who can blame them however if they have a budget to keep to and need to save money?

They have killed off town centres across the country and created commercial deserts everywhere.

The Courier carries an advert for Morrisons, which must cost them a relatively small fortune, stating that the nearest branch is at Fort William. Is there anybody in Campbeltown who travels to Fort William for their weekly shop? It just goes to show how big these companies think the potential catchment area of one shop is. I do know that Tesco in Oban is well supported by Campbeltonians who visit the shop as part of a day out. I know people from Fort William who go to Oban for Tesco and people from Oban who go to Fort William for Morrisons, but that’s under an hour’s travel.

That particular Morrisons store has ruined much local trade in Fort William, as Tesco has done in Oban, and they continue to do so.

We also need to remember that there are personal tragedies involved in all of this, with family businesses closing down after many years, sometimes generations, and often very little to show for it.

[Ags]

We also need to remember that there are personal tragedies involved in all of this, with family businesses closing down after many years, sometimes generations, and often very little to show for it.

Yip ...them and environmental health Emdee!! But that's another rant and another thread for another day!!
Here's hoping woolies survives. I dread to think what would happen to the town centre without it!!!