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Written by Atticus
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Thursday, 27 November 2008 00:00 |
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So Woolworths – or Woolies as it's been known to generations of shoppers – is the latest victim of the economic turmoil engulfing us, says Atticus. The store does ninety percent of its annual trade in the run-up to Christmas, but people just have not been spending. Why do I feel just the slightest tinge of sadness? The last time I went in the store, sometime back, it was a horrific mess – as if the shop had been picked up, shaken a few times, and then set down again. Of course, it must be that old favorite, nostalgia...and pick 'n' mix.
Woolies has been a fixture on the high street ever since 1909, when the first British store opened. Originally a US company – started by Frank Woolworth – the UK subsidiary came to be larger than its US parent. Storming virtually every town in the land, at one point a new store was opening every 17 days. For me as a child, it was the pick 'n' mix sweets that drew me in. I'll forever associate Woolies with strawberry strings, gobstoppers and fizzy cola bottles.
The store's been in trouble for some time now, with the rise of the supermarkets. But now Woolies is going, where will I go to get those e-numbers if I want to relive my childhood? Perhaps I’d better stock up now in the final closing down sales...
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Ze Great Fizzy Ceaula Crash of 2009.
Forget ze banks, eet eez VoolVerths zat needs to be savéd.