Blow to Woolworths hoped for return to high streets 10 YEARS after collapse as retail guru says comeback is ‘futile’
Retail experts have said nostalgia isn't enough to resurrect the superstore
A DESPERATE attempt to resurrect Woolworths has been criticised by retail experts, who say the superstore belongs in the past.
The former managing director of Woolworths, which was famed for its Pick n Mix sweets range, has previously flagged he was hopeful of the brand making a comeback but others have said it would be "futile".
Tony Page's attempts to buy back the name have been slammed by Bill Grimsey, the former boss of Iceland, Wickes and Focus, who told that the attempts were being made by an ex director who "probably has nothing else to do."
Now a retail adviser, Mr Grimsey said: "Times have moved on.
"For a Woolworths to work it has to have economies of scale – it has to be big, it has to be able to buy big in order to get low prices.
"And then to establish a chain in this environment where online shopping is becoming more and more successful, personally I think it is a futile exercise.”
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His verdict was echoed by other retail experts, who said it was unlikely that a comeback for the superstore would be successful - even if it concentrated on community stores.
The executive editor of George MacDonald weighed in, writing: "In some respects you have to admire Page’s longstanding commitment to the famous retail brand, where he was commercial director at the time of its collapse almost a decade ago.
"But the world has moved on and so should Page."
To establish a chain in this environment where online shopping is becoming more and more successful, personally I think it is a futile exercise
Bill Grimsey
He added that while shoppers may remain nostalgic over Woolworths, it wasn't enough to bring it back.
Mr Page is reportedly still awaiting a response from Shop Direct to buy back the Woolworths brand name.
Mr Page had reportedly tried to buy the brand back after its collapse but was beaten by Shop Direct.
The company ran the retail site but closed it six years later and merged it into its Very brand.
Woolworths, known for its Pick n Mix range, entered administration in 2008, having amassed debts of about £400m.
The 800 stores across the UK were closed, with about 27,000 employees made redundant.
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