Slimmed-down Woolworths re-emerges as an e-tailer

The Woolworths name is to live on – but exclusively as an online retailer.

The brand has been bought for an unknown sum by the Barclay brothers’ Shop Direct Group, previously known as Littlewoods Shop Direct, and will be re-launched alongside the business tycoons’ other online brands, including Great Universal and Marshall Ward.

Shop Direct chief executive Mark Newton-Jones said the product offer would be more targeted, including childrenswear and entertainment, but not taking in items such as washing-up bowls.

The sale of the brand kills the chance of any resurrection of the company, which went into administration in November, on the high street.

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Administrator Deloitte is holding a meeting of creditors – which include 27,000 staff and 500 businesses – in London today.