All of its stores are now closed after the retailer's collapse last year, but the Woolworths name is to live on as an online brand with a relaunch due in the summer.
The brand name, along with that of its Ladybird clothing range, has been acquired by the Daily Telegraph owners, Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay, and will fall under the Shop Direct Group, which runs Littlewoods and other brands.
The Woolworths homepage now displays a 'don't worry, we'll be back soon' message, and asks visitors to sign up for information, as well as giving their feedback on what they liked and disliked about the old Woolworths:
Woolworths is a well known and trusted brand for many, so making use of it as a pureplay online retailers seems like a smart move. It lagged behind high street competitors like John Lewis an Marks and Spencer online but still had more web traffic than brands like Debenhams and Asda.
The website will also need some usability improvements, but, having just enjoyed a successful Christmas online with a 44% rise in sales, Shop Direct seems well places to resurrect the Woolworths name.
Reader comments (1)
Online PR/Social Media Consultant at Econsultancy
12:48PM on 2nd February 2009
"asks visitors to sign up for information, as well as giving their feedback on what they liked and disliked about the old Woolworths."
Yes, I heard them talking about it on Radio 4's Today programme.
Let's hope that they really listen rather than just pay lipservice and use this launch/holding page for email acqusition alone...anyone know what "Woolworths" are doing through other channels to ensure that they develop a credible and profitable offering?
Do they have a social media strategy/active listening strategy? There's been a lot of chatter over the past few weeks, so lots of juicy research to get cracking on with...
A big hole has been left on the high street...please treat the brand kindly ShopDirect Group.
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