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German discount chain Woolworth is set to make its debut in the Czech market this June with the opening of its first brick-and-mortar store in Třebíč. The store, which will span nearly 1,000 square meters, will offer a wide range of products, including home goods, clothing, garden supplies, toys, and more.
Woolworth's entry into the Czech market places it in direct competition with other established discount chains like Action, Pepco, Tedi, and Kik. This marks a significant milestone for Woolworth, which has ambitious plans for expansion across the country.
Woolworth's expansion into Czechia
In addition to Třebíč, the company intends to open stores in cities such as Žatec, Třinec, Jihlava, Opava, and Liberec in the coming months, primarily in shopping centers and retail parks. According to spokesperson Roland Rissel, speaking to iDnes.cz, specific opening dates for these stores are in the final stages of planning.
Woolworth aims to open between 10 and 15 stores in the Czech Republic by the end of 2025. If these initial openings prove successful, the company plans to ramp up its expansion, potentially adding up to 20 new stores per year in the coming years.
The German retailer prides itself on offering a broad selection of products at competitive prices. Its inventory will include around 18,000 products, with 10,000 available year-round and the remaining 8,000 changing seasonally.
Over 90 percent of the items offered will be from Woolworth's own brands, allowing the company to maintain a high standard of quality at affordable prices.
The company’s core principle is consistent quality and offerings across all markets, meaning that Czech consumers will have access to the same products as customers in Germany, Austria, and Poland.
History in the US and Europe
The original Woolworth brand traces its roots back to the U.S., where the F. W. Woolworth Company opened its first store in 1879. Woolworth pioneered the five-and-dime concept of offering inexpensive goods at fixed prices throughout the first half of the 20th century.
However, the brand eventually struggled due to increased competition from giants like Walmart and Target. By 1997, Woolworth closed all its U.S. stores and transitioned into the Foot Locker brand, which focuses on footwear sales.
In Germany, the company also faced financial difficulties and entered insolvency in 2010. However, after being acquired by the HH Holding investment group, which owns other discount chains like Tedi, Woolworth underwent a restructuring that allowed it to recover.
Today, Woolworth operates over 700 stores, not only in Germany but also in Austria and Poland. The company plans to expand to 5,000 stores across Europe by 2030, with the Czech Republic positioned as a key market in this growth strategy. The brand is the latest in a growing surge of discount retailers opening in the country.
