Woolworth GmbH
Line
- Hans -Dieter shingle (Chairman of the Board)
- Thomas Leege ( managing partner )
The Woolworth GmbH [ wʊlwɝ ː θ ] is a retail chain with approximately 260 stores in Germany. Main owner was since 1 July 2010 to 58.5 percent of the HH Holding and 30 percent Tengelmann group. After the departure of Tengelmann in summer 2012 Woolworth is now one of 79.5 percent of the HH Holding to the KiK - founder Stefan Heinig, and the management of the former Kik Manager and Woolworth CEO Hans -Dieter shingle holds 20.5 percent. With his offer, which covers mainly the non-food and drug area, mainly textiles, household items, stationery, toys, shoes, leather goods and confectionery, the company wants to appeal to price-sensitive buyers.
History
On November 2, 1926, the German subsidiary of the American FW Woolworth Company was founded at the Hotel Adlon in Berlin. On July 30, 1927, the first department store was opened Woolworth in Germany in Bremen, again with fixed prices of 25 and 50 Pfennig and a public presentation of goods.
In March 1932 it was announced that the Woolworth Group had supported the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP ) with several donations.
Long time operation Woolworth in Germany various subsidiaries. In addition, there were jewelry shops, which appeared under the name Ruby. Today, the still existing subsidiaries operate partly independently and partly as part of the former American parent company, for example, Foot Locker.
In 1998, the German subsidiary of the American parent company, which now no longer exists separated. In a management buy -out, they founded the " German DWW Woolworth GmbH & Co. OHG", headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. This was supported by the British investment group Electra Private Equity (now Cognetas ). Between January and October 2004, one to the POS system and the IT infrastructure. This should be possible a more efficient and improved order for goods and better service. So touchscreen solutions are used based on Linux, for example, at the tills.
In 2005, Woolworth had 330 stores in Germany and nine in Austria. These were divided into 202 department stores and 128 " Minis" with a lower selling space. The total selling space was approximately 400,000 square meters.
As of March 2006, the company tested a new, modernized concept. In Koblenz and Frankfurt am Main was opened so-called concept stores, which were characterized by a completely new facility. The central element of this concept were the " market places " special areas which stood out visually by a separate ceiling and floor design from the rest of the store and on which special offers and promotional items were offered. Selected branches were built to " marketplace stores " around. As a consistent enhancement of the concept then the end of October 2006 in Berlin were ten to marketplace stores reopened remodeled stores. To ensure a consistent advertising campaign in all branches of Berlin is also pointed out in the rest of the stores special areas as " marketplaces" from.
In October 2007, the U.S. private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management has taken together with Argyll partner the business of Woolworth Germany. Cerberus was land owner and took it about 100 located individually owned Woolworth property, which should be leased back by Cerberus Argyll partner; the operating business was taken over by Argyll.
From March 2008 branches to fit in again in order to obtain a positive sales development. In addition to the adjustment of the range ( drastic reduction ) and the broadening of the walkways to all stores stocked with checkout lanes ( cash positions with automatic treadmill).
On 11 April 2009, the British company Argyll Partners filed for bankruptcy with the District Court Frankfurt am Main on behalf of the German business operations. 23 former Woolworth stores were then taken over by the textile discounter NKD. The drugstore chain Schlecker also planned the acquisition of several branches. The Federal Cartel Office approved the end of August 2009, however, the acquisition of a maximum of 71 Woolworth stores.
In September 2009, the press spokesman for the trustee explained that the operational business with 160 of originally 310 stores in a newly founded German Woolworth GmbH are to be continued.
In May 2010, the HH -Holding has taken over as the holding company of the Tengelmann Group, which also includes the clothing chain KIK heard Woolworth. The former employees were taken on the same terms and received a limited one-year contract. The Federal Cartel Office approved the takeover in June 2010. The company moved from 1 July 2010 from Frankfurt to Unna. Since the summer of 2012, Tengelmann has almost completely withdrawn. Main owner is now 79.5 percent, the HH Holding to the KiK - founder Stefan Heinig, and the management of the former Kik Manager and Woolworth CEO Hans -Dieter shingle.
The Austrian branches were separated following the bankruptcy of the Deutsche Woolworth GmbH ( DWW ) and sold to the financial investor bluO. The shops were closed and reopened as the Adler fashion world. The Adler fashion stores GmbH is one of bluO.
Branches
158 branches took over from the old society the Woolworth GmbH. 40 million euros will spend for the renovation of the trading company. At all old stores the changed logo is applied and the existing space and the Shopfitting be modernized. In the medium term, the branch network is to be compressed to 250 stores. In the long run, the management can even imagine 500 stores. Target locations are cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants. There Woolworth wants to be the local provider with its wide range. The sales area of a Woolworth store in the future should be uniform between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet, extending a maximum of two stories. An expansion abroad is not currently provided. The trading company, however, has the rights for the entire European Union - with the exception of Britain - backed.
Range
Woolworth offers about 6,000 items in the lower and middle price segment. Prior to the bankruptcy in the spring of 2009, the press described the range as " hodgepodge of more than 25,000 articles". 65 percent of the new products on offer make hard goods like decorative items, accessories, play, write, and household goods and pet accessories. At 35 percent, there is a range of products from textiles. According to the pricing strategy Woolworth offers products from well known and lesser known brands. In the known brands Woolworth for example onto Ravensburger, Lego, Panasonic, Coca -Cola and Haribo. In addition, the company offers temporary license goods, such as Hello Kitty, and ten private labels. The offer is rounded off by products at entry level price. In its own brands cover Infinity Man, Woman, Kids and Sports the area outerwear for all ages from. Fragrance of the rose stands for hosiery, Marvital for cosmetics, Belday Home for decorative items, Basic Concept for hard goods and Smily for baby clothing.
Property owners
The U.S. investment firm Cerberus Capital Management since 2007, continues to property owners of about 100 former Woolworth estate and only indirectly affected by the change of the operating business partner. In Germany the real estate owned by the Promontoria is managed, which has now partially commissioned the Acrest Property Group with the realignment of real estate holdings.