Woolworths returns as internet brand

THE Woolworths brand made its return today as an online shop – complete with with pic ‘n’ mix sweets and Ladybird children’s clothing – after Speke-based Shop Direct bought the name back in February.

The woolworths.co.uk site has more than 500,000 products across three main categories – toys, childrenswear, entertainment and party, according to the company which hopes the site will appeal to the family market and tap into the burgeoning trend to shop online.

But the new owners have decided not to sell DIY or household goods, after feedback from more than 1 million loyal Woolworths customers.

Mark Newton-Jones, chief executive at Shop Direct, said: “We’ve been talking to families across the country and have responded with a site that delivers the best of what they loved about Woollies.

“Families wanted us to bring back Woolies as soon as possible, so that’s what we’ve done.”

The high street chain collapsed into administration amid plunging sales and mounting debts, late last year but Shop Direct bought the name in February, along with childrenswear brand Ladybird, for an undisclosed sum.

Shop Direct is part of the Littlewoods home shopping group, which is owned by Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay.