Oh my goodness, but both have gone in to administration today......
Personally, not over bothered about MFI - although I *did* get a rather nice
kitchen [eventually] from them in Dec '99.

But Woolies??
That's where I bought my first make-up!!
When they had individual counters....
And I have to say that my local branch stocked the most fab greetings
cards.....
I hope they don't disappear forever, but I s'pose they will :-(

Madge X

"Madge X" <Madge> wrote in message
news:u5u1
> Oh my goodness, but both have gone in to administration today......
> Personally, not over bothered about MFI - although I *did* get a rather
> nice kitchen [eventually] from them in Dec '99.
>
> But Woolies??
> That's where I bought my first make-up!!
> When they had individual counters....
> And I have to say that my local branch stocked the most fab greetings
> cards.....
> I hope they don't disappear forever, but I s'pose they will :-(
>
The shop lost its way. Wilkinson's is the new Woolies.

John

On 27/11/2008 01:10, Madge X wrote:
> Oh my goodness, but both have gone in to administration today......
> Personally, not over bothered about MFI - although I *did* get a rather nice
> kitchen [eventually] from them in Dec '99.
>
> But Woolies??
> That's where I bought my first make-up!!
> When they had individual counters....
> And I have to say that my local branch stocked the most fab greetings
> cards.....
> I hope they don't disappear forever, but I s'pose they will :-(
>
> Madge X
>

B&Q are scrapping their "Trade Depot" outlets to concentrate on Screwfix
and B&Q:-
<http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/sales-slump-hits-bampq-1037329.html>
Are Currys & PC World going next?
<http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5243078.ece>

In news:GUuXk.93824$E41.14070,
wtwjgc (Joe) <192.168.0.1> typed:
> Are Currys & PC World going next?
> <http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5243078.ece>

Currys in Warrington has made no efforts to please the people of Warrington
and district for years.
In the past they were *the* place to go for things.
Not now. Not only are they expensive they seem to only stock the top of the
range things.
Not the way to attract customers in this part of the world.

Mind you, over the years Woolies went the same way. Cutting down on the
variety of things they stocked so going in just for a look-around and coming
out with things you liked the look of became a thing of the past.

Again, not the way to attract customers.

Both Woolies and Comet in Warrington are usually empty these days, not
full-to-busting like they used to be:-(

On 27/11/2008 11:10, Pam the goose wrote:
> In news:GUuXk.93824$E41.14070,
> wtwjgc (Joe) <192.168.0.1> typed:
>
> Currys in Warrington has made no efforts to please the people of Warrington
> and district for years.
> In the past they were *the* place to go for things.
> Not now. Not only are they expensive they seem to only stock the top of the
> range things.
> Not the way to attract customers in this part of the world.
>
> Mind you, over the years Woolies went the same way. Cutting down on the
> variety of things they stocked so going in just for a look-around and coming
> out with things you liked the look of became a thing of the past.
>
> Again, not the way to attract customers.
>
> Both Woolies and Comet in Warrington are usually empty these days, not
> full-to-busting like they used to be:-(

They are the same here, and, I suspect, everywhere else.

Madge X wrote:
> Oh my goodness, but both have gone in to administration today......
> Personally, not over bothered about MFI - although I *did* get a
> rather nice kitchen [eventually] from them in Dec '99.
>
> But Woolies??
> That's where I bought my first make-up!!
> When they had individual counters....
> And I have to say that my local branch stocked the most fab greetings
> cards.....
> I hope they don't disappear forever, but I s'pose they will :-(
>
> Madge X
Our daughter walked on her own for the first time in Woolies.It was quiet
and my wife had let her crawl on the floor while she bought a tin of Kiwi.
Suddenly, Shirley was up and toddling towards the doors.
Derek.


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On Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:10:36 -0000, Madge X wrote:

> Oh my goodness, but both have gone in to administration today......
> Personally, not over bothered about MFI - although I *did* get a rather nice
> kitchen [eventually] from them in Dec '99.

I've bought stuff from MFI over the years. I remember there was a bit
of a fuss about them when they first appeared, mostly negative.

> But Woolies??
> That's where I bought my first make-up!!

As did many girls :))

> When they had individual counters....

With overhangs children could sit under to count up how much money
they still had left to buy their father a birthday present.

Not forgetting the 45s and LPs, the tins of loose biscuits with clear
lids (morality wasn't high amongst the biscuit tins), the counter with
the bulbs and plants, clothes for everyone, groceries and homewear,
fragrancies and toiletries.

Woolies was a good general store but they tried to get trendy and that
stopped the flexibility. They seemed to try to specialise without
doing so.

> And I have to say that my local branch stocked the most fab greetings
> cards.....

Ours did at one time, but haven't for quite a while now. The huge
store in Taunton does though.

> I hope they don't disappear forever, but I s'pose they will :-(

I hope they don't too but it sadly very likely :((

I see that the Curry's/PC World group is wobbling as is the Kingfisher
Group of which B+Q is part.

You know it's bad when big househould names start wobbling and/or
collapsing.

§ireßird & $ir Vivor wrote:
[..]
> store in Taunton does though.
>> I hope they don't too but it sadly very likely :((
>
> I see that the Curry's/PC World group is wobbling as is the Kingfisher
> Group of which B+Q is part.
>
> You know it's bad when big househould names start wobbling and/or
> collapsing.

How many people will say the Dixons group deserve what is coming to them?
Comet was originally good but as their prices went up their service went
down.They will leave big gaps in out of town shopping areas.
Derek


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"John Nice" <johnDOTniceATbtinternetDOTcom> wrote in message
news:nz2d
> "Madge X" <Madge> wrote in message
> news:u5u1
>> Oh my goodness, but both have gone in to administration today......
>> Personally, not over bothered about MFI - although I *did* get a rather
>> nice kitchen [eventually] from them in Dec '99.
>> But Woolies??
>> That's where I bought my first make-up!!

> The shop lost its way. Wilkinson's is the new Woolies.

Both Woolies and MFI over the years tried to change their core customer base
and that rarely works in the long term. It nearly saw the end of M&S a few
years ago and they are still struggling to get back to where they were. I
don't believe we have any Wilkinson stores Oop here so maybe they could take
over the Woolies stores.

"wtwjgc (Joe)" <192.168.0.1> wrote in message
news:4070
> B&Q are scrapping their "Trade Depot" outlets to concentrate on Screwfix
> and B&Q:-
> <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/sales-slump-hits-bampq-1037329.html>

There used to be a huge B&Q Warehouse near here but that closed a couple of
years ago despite being cheaper than B&Q itself.

> Are Currys & PC World going next?
> <http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5243078.ece>

Ah now that's IMHO a company which might just have done better if it hadn't
got such a bad reputation for bad customer service.

On 27/11/2008 12:12, Rabbit wrote:
> "John Nice" <johnDOTniceATbtinternetDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:nz2d
>> Both Woolies and MFI over the years tried to change their core customer base
> and that rarely works in the long term. It nearly saw the end of M&S a few
> years ago and they are still struggling to get back to where they were. I
> don't believe we have any Wilkinson stores Oop here so maybe they could take
> over the Woolies stores.

Doesn't seem like they have.
Quote from http://wilkinsonplus.com/ webaite:-
What's going on near you?
There's a lot going on in our 312 plus stores across England and Wales.
Find out what's happening near you...

"wtwjgc (Joe)" <192.168.0.1> wrote in message
news:9390
> On 27/11/2008 12:12, Rabbit wrote:
>> I don't believe we have any Wilkinson stores Oop here so maybe they
>> could take over the Woolies stores.
>
> Doesn't seem like they have.

I've been in a couple over the border and I wouldn't mind if they did open a
few stores here. I've got a nice size Woolworth store just down the road if
they are interested ;-)

In news:6p7ifmF6pfukU1,
Rabbit <Rabbit_is> typed:
> "wtwjgc (Joe)" <192.168.0.1> wrote in message
> news:9390
>> On 27/11/2008 12:12, Rabbit wrote:
>>> I don't believe we have any Wilkinson stores Oop here so maybe they
>>> could take over the Woolies stores.
>>
>> Doesn't seem like they have.
>
> I've been in a couple over the border and I wouldn't mind if they did
> open a few stores here. I've got a nice size Woolworth store just
> down the road if they are interested ;-)

rofl
We have one that I haven't been in for a long time, probably since the
bleeding brain, and you've reminded me I must go there sometime soon because
you can pick up some very different Chrissie presents from there.
It really *is* like Woolies used to be.
I like the shop :-)

"Madge X" <Madge> wrote in message
news:u5u1
> Oh my goodness, but both have gone in to administration today......
> Personally, not over bothered about MFI - although I *did* get a rather
> nice kitchen [eventually] from them in Dec '99.
>
> But Woolies??
> That's where I bought my first make-up!!
> When they had individual counters....
> And I have to say that my local branch stocked the most fab greetings
> cards.....
> I hope they don't disappear forever, but I s'pose they will :-(
>
> Madge X
> Think its inevitable now, Madge... My memories of Woollies store include :
Told I took my first faltering steps on walker-reigns.

Going in with my Grandad at about four years, bought one or two things
before being taken tomy first cinema

Later, about 7 years taken in by two *grown-up*girls- they bought some Ponds
face cream, then going off to see a Flash Gordon film

Turned round saw *3d and 6d store above the windows

At school, wartime, growing, hungryish nipping out with two others to buy a
tin of Bournvita (wed had dinner !) and a severe reprimand (nearly, so
nearly The Tawse) for
nipping out, filling up on said Bourn--- by the spoonful, a slur on our
school caterer who had the bakery rouind the corner and gave their first
storey over to us for dining in (probably charged a good rent to school)
Shocked wed gone into Wools moaningabout hunger...

Growing up - got a Saturday job in the storeroom - loved the
companionship... hated the mouse scuttled out... left.

Many years later - bought Ladybird garments for Grand children.........

Having moved about the mapa bit I was always hoping thered be a Woollies
nearby....

Now -- what---?

Marg

"May" <me> wrote in message
news:nz2d
>
> "Madge X" <Madge> wrote in message
> news:u5u1


My very first job was in their office :-))