Articles | Woolies holds 'biggest ever sale'

Jobs go amid Woolies sale

Published: Friday, 5 December 2008, 9:41AM

Around 450 support staff have been made redundant at ailing retailer Woolworths as the high street chain holds its "biggest ever" sale.

Woolworths' 813 stores will stay open during the festive season but doubts remain over the future of thousands of jobs - the group employs 30,000 staff, with around 25,000 working in retail.

The staff cuts already announced will affect the firm's head office and support operations in London and Castleton, Rochdale. Administrators at Deloitte confirmed there has been no job losses in Woolworths high street stores and distribution centres.

In their "biggest ever sale" up to 50 per cent is being slashed from prices, while extra staff have been drafted in and stores have stocked up an extra goods to keep tills ringing throughout the day.

Highlights of the sale will include up to 50 per cent off toys, 30 per cent off Christmas trees and decorations, 50 per cent off all greeting cards, 20 per cent off personal gifts and reductions on all entertainment products.

The huge sale comes a day after Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis was unsuccessful in his bid to save the Woolworths name, adding that it was likely a break-up of the business would raise more cash for creditors.

But Deloitte said a number of parties are interested in buying Woolworths as a going concern.

On the sale, Neville Kahn, Deloitte's reorganisation services partner, said: "We will launch Woolworths' Biggest Ever Sale with discounts of up to 50 per cent on all goods, except concessions.

"We anticipate increased footfall in the stores and have hired additional staff to cope with increased demand. Additional goods have been moved to all stores and further stock will be added in the coming days.

"There is continuing interest in the core Woolworths business and the sale will continue whilst potential buyers finalise their plans for the purchase of the business."

Elsewhere on the high street, pre-Christmas sales are being held by many household names, including Marks & Spencer and Debenhams, in a bid to stave off what many believe will be a tough trading period for retailers.