Woolworths sets shops online

Thursday, 25 June 2009 06:02

The online store, Woolworths.co.uk will feature a main shop selling children's toys and clothing, an entertainment store, which sells video games, DVDs and CDs, as well as a party goods outlet selling fancy dress costumes, games and the iconic "pic n'mix" sweets, now known as "click n' mix".

"There has been a vacuum created by Woolworths' disappearance, especially in the entertainment, toys and party areas," Matthew Hardcastle, the head of Woolworths told Reuters in an interview after the launch of the site.

"This venture is firmly focused on the family and will enable people to find everything under one roof but because it is now online we'll be able to sell bulkier things and more products than you could get in a bricks and mortar store."

The online store is expected to sell over half a million products. Initially it will have separate checkouts for the main shop, entertainment and party stores. This will become one integrated checkout by the autumn.

Shop Direct Group Chief Executive Mark Newton-Jones told reporters that Woolworths.co.uk would make a profit in its first full-year of operation but he refused to make any specific forecasts.