Woolworths is to be re-launched online after it was bought by Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay.

The chain of stores went into administration in November, finally closing its 800 stores just a month ago after struggling with its £385million debts.

Ladybird, Woolworths’ children’s clothing line, is also set to be re-launched online.

However, it is expected that only a small percentage of the original 30,000 staff will get their jobs back.

The sum of money that the Barclay brothers are setting down for the brands has not been disclosed, but this will be one of many other brands the twin brothers own, including Great Universal and Shop direct, formerly known as Littlewoods.

This news comes even though just last week, Shop Direct announced it was to cut 1,150 jobs in North-West England.

What the company’s chief executive had to say…

Mark Newton Jones, chief executive said: “this is great news and we are confident that Woolworths, as an online brand, will once again prosper and quite rightly stay at the heart of British retailing. It would have been a tragedy should the name have disappeared. It’s an iconic name.

“Essentially we will sell children’s clothing through the Ladybird name and also other products. But what we’re looking to do is encourage customers to come to us and tell us what they would like to see from Woolworths and what they liked and disliked and we’ve set a website up already. You can come and register online with us this morning and tell us the sort of products you’d like to see.”

He also added that details of new product ranges would be announced in the next few months, but that they hoped to launch the new shopping website by the summer.

Will an Online Store Work?

According to retail consultant Teresa Wickham, online retail is a “very competitive marketplace.”

She said: “If Woolworths can pick up on what was good about it – such as Ladybird and Chad Valley – then they could capture a new market. They have also got to show good value.

“In many ways this is the ideal time for this move though, while the brand is still fresh in people’s minds.

“People are generally getting more used to buying online, and the online clothing sector is predicted to grow over the coming year.”

She also added that many of the customers that shopped in the High Street store may not be the same as those that use the online store, as many of its customer base were elderly, and therefore less likely to be internet-aware.

The High Street Buildings

Woolworths held prime position on many High Streets across the UK, and many of those buildings have been quickly snapped up to be re-opened by other businesses. Iceland, for example, are to buy 51 of the old Woolworths stores.

What Do You Think?

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