Woolworths to be reborn on the internet after buy-out .

High street brand Woolworths is to be relaunched as an online store
after the name was today bought by the UK's biggest internet and home
shopping retailer.Shop Direct - which also owns brands such as
the Littlewoods catalogue - plans to launch Woolworths online in the
summer following the deal to buy the brand for an undisclosed sum.




The
move brings the famous brand under the control of Sir David and
Frederick Barclay, whose interests also include the Telegraph newspaper
group.

Woolworths was forced into administration late last year
after plunging sales and mounting debts, costing 27,000 jobs. The last
of its 807 stores closed in January.
But Shop Direct, which
has also bought Woolworths' childrenswear brand Ladybird, said it was
confident that the store would "stay at the heart of British retailing"
as an online presence.Chief executive Mark Newton-Jones said:
'Woolworths is a much-loved brand that engenders huge affection among
British consumers and is an important part of the country's retail
heritage.'
Woolworths first opened its doors in the UK 100
years ago this year. The move would revive the brand for future
generations, Mr Newton-Jones added.Details of the new product ranges to be offered will be announced in the next few months, the company said.
Shop
Direct employs around 10,500 people and has around five million
customers. Its other well-known catalogue brands include Kays and
Marshall Ward.Woolworths appointed Deloitte as administrators in
November after efforts to rescue the business failed. Deloitte was
unable to find a buyer for the firm and launched a closing-down sale in
December.



I wonder if they will deliver to the Channel Islands.