The Story of Woolworth

Woolworth continues its European growth with new store openings in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, bringing affordable everyday products to even more customers.

With over 800 stores across Germany, Poland and Austria Woolworth continues to grow. The goal: 5,000 stores across Europe – with a strong focus on sustainability, affordable prices, and a wide range of everyday products.

With the opening of the 12th store in Hamburg in June, Woolworth has 600 stores throughout Germany. The first stores open in Poland in May. Woolworth launches in Austria in November. By the end of the year, the discounter operates around 700 stores throughout Germany, 13 stores in Poland and 4 stores in Austria.

Woolworth grows by 60 stores and opens its 500th location (in Bochum-Wattenscheid) in March. Preparations for international expansion pick up speed. Around 15 stores are to open in Poland in 2023.

Woolworth opens its 300th store in Dortmund city center and sets an important milestone on the way to the target of 1,000 locations throughout Germany.

Investors develop a new concept for an innovative and modern store company and found Woolworth GmbH. The cartel office approves the takeover in June. 158 locations, including inventory and rental agreements, are continued. The company headquarters are relocated to Unna on July 1.

In April, the company files for insolvency at Frankfurt am Main district court. However, closure is prevented.

The stores are adapted to customers' expectations: The product range will be restructured and all locations will be equipped with an automatic conveyor belt.

Woolworth operates a total of 330 stores in Germany.

The German subsidiary separates from the American parent company, which had completely closed its stores in the USA, Canada and the UK a year earlier and is now focusing on sporting goods retail, in a management buy-out. The “DWW Deutsche Woolworth GmbH & Co. OHG” is founded.

At the beginning of the 1970s, the company was able to resume its old successes after the turmoil of war and forced administration during the National Socialist era. After numerous new openings and renovations, the 100th anniversary is celebrated worldwide.

The purpose-built headquarters in Frankfurt is occupied and serves as the company headquarters until 2010.

After the German subsidiary was founded in Berlin's Hotel Adlon last year, the first German store opens in Bremen.

Frank Winfield Woolworth dies at the age of 66. He transfers his fortune and the majority of the company to his granddaughter Barbara Hutton. Even then, the company not only had branches in the USA, but also in Canada and Great Britain.

The now richest founding family in the world, which owns the largest store company, completes the Woolworth Building in New York, which serves as its administrative headquarters and cost an estimated 13.5 million dollars to build. At 241 meters, it is the world's tallest building until 1930 and is considered the eighth wonder of the world. 

The 1000th store opened. The company already has an annual turnover of 52 million dollars.

Together with his brother Charles Sumner Woolworth, he founds the company “F.W. Woolworth & Co” and soon operates 76 department stores in ten states.

As the owner of a household goods store in the US state of Pennsylvania, Frank Winfield Woolworth develops a concept that revolutionizes retail worldwide: On February 22, 1879, he became the first store owner to display his priced goods openly on the counter. He also introduced flat prices of five and ten cents, which is why his stores were also known as “five-and-dime stores”.