This is Hyde Daily Photo Volume 1 (2006-2011) which is now in archive mode. For recent photographs please visit Hyde Daily Photo Volume 2. Additional material and links to blogger friends can be found at Hyde DP Xtra.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Up To Something at Woolworths


Woolworths is one of the victims of the recession. With an uncertain future and probable demise of the 99 year old household name, there is currently a 50% sale on.

At least that is what is says on the posters. Look very very closely though and you'll see those two tiny two-letter qualifying words - UP TO.

It was quite busy when I was in there yesterday but anything at 50% off was hard to find. The discounts were mostly 10% on things like chocolate selection boxes, DVDs and games. Another notice said that the recent reduction in VAT was included in the discounts, so hardly many huge bargains to be found.

Hardware and children's clothes seemed to be either 20 or 30% off.

Check out the BBC News report Woolworths closure sale kicks off.

See what was here before Woolworths on Old Hyde

18 comments:

Wayne said...

I thought Woolworth's had bit the dust long ago. They've been gone from Vancouver for years and years. A couple of years ago I'm pretty certain I saw a Woolworth's sign in Oxnard, CA. but I don't know if there was actually a store.

magiceye said...

baits are exciting!

Maria Verivaki said...

that's the way it goes, all empires come to an end sometime, and woolworths had a good run - we had them in new zealand. i have fond memories of them, but they have outlived their purposes, with newer stores taking their place (most likely the supermarkets)

Jesse said...

We had a few Woolworth's here in Hawaii, USA that also closed a couple of years back. I am glad to have came upon your site, very interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing.

Rune Eide said...

That kind of sale is a cheat. Limited offer means one item.
Up to reduction 50% means 10%.

Rinkly Rimes said...

inly an icon from my youth is going West, either quickly or slowly.

Anonymous said...

The end of an era. Seems the high st shops are going to try and match the woolies 50% discount this weekend. Be interesting to check out if they are real discounts or not.

Judy said...

The stores we had here in Arizona have been gone for many years but I remember them being very popular shopping places.

Lois said...

Oh my--I haven't thought of Woolworth's in years! It was my favorite store when I was kid, but unfortunately they are all long gone from here now.

Nikon said...

I think that they are all already gone here in the New England area.

Thanks so much for the card!
I hope that you and the family have a good holiday season, Gerald.

Unknown said...

I popped into mine yesterday, as they were supposed to be starting the real 50% off, as I'd been in on Monday and as you say it was only about 10% off most things. There was a mile long queue of people waiting to pay. Read in today's paper that some shops have been stripped of goods. One shopper said it was like seeing vultures circling around a carcass.

Ken Mac said...

like that old brick wall.

marley said...

Its a shame to see Woolies going. Its a High Street institution. The Cheltenham branch has been almost stripped bare!

Tara's Talk said...

Oh my!! I haven't seen a Woolworth since I was young!! Ours went out of business years ago!!

Stop by & check out some of my blogs when/if you get time!
~~Tara

http://www.blogger.com/profile/16187242078303599851

Anonymous said...

Oh this is sad. Its sad to see stores that have been in communities and families for years and years come to a close.

I'm pretty sure we still have woolworths supermarkets in NZ. Maybe a few have closed down but the strong remain. Obviously I don't shop there though...

Jane Hards Photography said...

It is indeed very sad news. MFI has closed today too. Not sorry for the loss of that store just for the poor workers. Woolies on the other hand is such and institution. I don't believe anything has actually taken the place of Woolies it's just been mismanaged.

aykayem said...

Woolworths is still going strong here - LOL - it is a big supermarket chain here in Australia (although in some states I think they are called "Safeway" instead - but they have the same colours/logo/etc and the same products/shops and the same owner)... they are also tied up with one of the big petrol companies (for those who don't know - petrol is what Americans call "Gas" - the stuff u put in the fuel tank of your car) ... they have a thing where you get a fuel discount if you spend a certain amount at the supermarket ... the other big supermarket chain (Coles) has the same thing - but with a different fuel company.
I am sure it is just the name that is the same now - companies take over other companies and everything these days just seems to be about advertising and brand names and stuff ... crass commercialism or somesuch ... pity we can't just pick the good things about modern times (like the internet - lol) and not have the bad stuff too ...
Andrea,
in Australia.

Rinkly Rimes said...

As someone who 'grew up' with Woolworths (UK) I found your two comparison photos very sad. I suppose we have to view Woolworths in the same way our predecessors viewed the Blacksmiths Forge.....as making way for progress!

Unless otherwise stated, all photographs on this site are copyright © 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Gerald England.

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