Where are you going to buy your pick n mix now?

[paulham]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7751064.stm

High Street legend Woolworths has buckled under its debt and is set to go into administration,.....The move will put tens of thousands of jobs at its 815 stores under threat.

The board of Woolies - one of the UK's oldest store groups - is meeting to take the formal decision.

[smurfboy]

Someone will buy them; they're too established a name for someone not to step in. I can see a big reduction in store numbers though.

[paulham]

Also, what they sell may substantially alter.

What was the big clothes store that went out of business a few years ago?

[drterror666]

Whoever takes them over has got a massive debt to take care of.

[oldspice]

Wilkinsons would be a good company to take them over. Similar product mix but more expertise and bigger buying clout.

[Forth Bridges]

Wilkinsons DONT HAVE any Scottish stores so It my not get anywhere up here,  Who are there anyways?

woolies Its been going down hill since 1985!

[bounty hunter]

Sainsbury's

[drterror666]

I used to nick from Woolies as a kid back in the early 80's.  Got nicked myself at least once because of them!  See, it's my fault, I caused the downfall of Woolies. 

[oldspice]

Wilkinsons DONT HAVE any Scottish stores so It my not get anywhere up here,  Who are there anyways?

woolies Its been going down hill since 1985!

What about the 30,000 staff who may lose their jobs?

[drterror666]

The government have stopped closing down job centres because they're expecting a high unemployment crisis in the new year.  No-one should have to lose their job.  Bloody capitalism, rant, rant, etc.

[smurfboy]

Wilkinsons DONT HAVE any Scottish stores so It my not get anywhere up here

So surely if they took over Woolworths that would be a very quick way to get into the Scottish market?

Wilkies are very good value so I'm sure they'd do well in Scotland. </inappropriate national stereotype of the week>

[oldspice]

  nevertheless true Smurfy!

[paulham]

Pah!
How was copper wire invented?
Two Englishmen fighting over a penny.

[loulou]

Also, what they sell may substantially alter.

What was the big clothes store that went out of business a few years ago?

Was it Littlewoods or C&A?

[smurfboy]

Neither Littlewoods or C&A went out of business - C&A closed down their UK arm, but are still successful in Europe, while Littlewoods decided to concentrate on their mail order business. Yes, both decisions were the result of falling sales, but it's not the same as being forced into administration.