WOOLWORTH STORES COULD RETURN TO UK HIGH STREETS – It had 807 British stores and its closure left more than 27,000 people unemployed

Once loved for its pick ‘n’ mix sweets and bargain prices, Woolworth stores could return to the UK.

Woolworths originated in the US and operated for 100 years in the UK, having opened its first store in Liverpool in 1909. It had 807 British stores and its closure left more than 27,000 people unemployed.

It suffered from the economic downturn of 2008-09 and from cheaper competitors eating into its market share. Some analysts say it was also not able to keep up with online shopping.

In 2009 when its British shops closed after the financial crisis, the brand in Germany, where it is known as Woolworth, was saved by HH Holding.

Current HH Holding chief Roman Heini says the UK is on his “bucket list” of destinations as he seeks to expand internationally.

It comes as Wilko, which filled the gap left by Woolworths, collapsed in 2023.

Mr Heini – who has worked in executive positions in both Aldi and Lidl and has been Woolworth chief executive since 2020 – told trade magazine Retail Week that despite the challenges of a cost-of-living crisis he had the opportunity to “make Woolworth great again”.

Affectionately known as “Woolies”, if the brand were to return to UK High Streets it is unclear how it would be spelt.