Where have woolworths toys gone?

yellowlabellady

Just tried logging on to the Woolies site and there is nothing there at all! Looks like its all gone now! Doesnt look good, does it?!

parahandy

From Retail Week

Updated: Embattled retailer Woolworths has stopped selling toys online during the key Christmas period, shocking and delighting rivals.

Woolworths, one of the biggest toy retailers in the country, said the decision is part of its changing multichannel strategy, which was revealed by chief executive Steve Johnson in its interim results in September.

The retailer was reportedly running special online toy promotions yesterday morning, before taking toys off the site last night.

Rivals say they are surprised by the timing.

"There's no way you'd take toys off before Christmas," said one toy retailer. "It may be cost cutting but it's not the kind of cost cutting that will work."

CDs, DVDs, books and mobiles can still be bought on the site.

The change comes as speculation about Woolworths' future grows, with fears arising at the weekend that it may be forced into administration this week.

A Woolworths spokeswoman denied the decision is a knee-jerk reaction to recent events.
Update: A Woolworths spokeswoman retracted an earlier statement that the retailer would stop multichannel retailing and that the decision to stop selling toys was part of a plan to take down the site.
She added: "We said in the interim results announcement that we were going to reduce the number of products sold by our online operation, and that's what we're doing, as planned."

Site now says "undergoing essential maintenance"...

deanos

We live in a small town and Woolies is essential to our shopping, it sells a bit of everything and the only place in town we can get kids clothes and toys

Will be a big loss if if closes down, but if it became a Home Bargains i could get over it pretty quickly

rchddap1

You're not alone deanos. We're in the same situation. Its a very useful place locally selling a bit of everything. Its particularly useful to older people who can't get far.

Knowing my luck our local store will end up becoming a local spider refuge.

JoCJo2

Site is working for me!

I hope Woolies doesn't close - about the only thing that keeps my town going!!

Jo_Mc_2

We have an Argos in town but I prefer Woolies, I buy quite a lot from there so would be very sad to see it go.

minnie1972

I ordered a giant Peppa Pig the other day should be here Friday fingers crossed or one unhappy toddler!
I have managed to log into my account and it says ready to despatch so who knows.

butterflymum

And when did they start offering travel?

http://www.woolworths-travel.co.uk/

moneypudden

My daughter has a part time job at Woolworths, and said staff are really struggling with having enough change in the cash tills. There is also open debate as to whether staff will get paid in December.

I was interested in ordering a tumble dryer as she gets staff discount, but Woolies web site appears to have dropped electricals, and typing in the product code returns a 'product not currently available' message.

I hope these aren't ominous signs for the future of the organisation, but it ain't looking good right now!

rchddap1

Unfortunately I'm not surprised. There was a part time job this way a fair few months back. At the time I was considering taking it and then putting my daughter into child care for a bit. Glad I didn't now. It must be really tough for those working there. They don't know whether they are coming or going.

I think woolies are very close to the edge. Something will happen soon. Hopefully it will be good news, but all the signs point to another outcome.