History

1879

An idea is born

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".

1900

F.W. Woolworth & Co

Together with his brother, Charles Summer Woolworth, he founds the company F.W. Woolworth & Co and soon finds himself running 76 department stores in ten American states.

1911

1.000 Stores

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

1913

The Woolworth Building

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. 

1919

Frank Winfield Woolworth dies

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.

1927

First German store

The year after the founding of the German subsidiary at Hotel Adlon in Berlin, the first German store opens in Bremen.

1968

Headquarters in Frankfurt

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

1979

100 years of Woolworth

In the early 70s, once the dust had settled from the chaos of WW2 and the authoritarianism of the Nazi era, the company was able to rediscover its success. After countless new store openings and renovations, the company’s 100th anniversary is celebrated around the world.

1998

Split from the parent company

In a management buyout, the German subsidiary splits from the American parent company, which closed all of its stores in the USA, Canada and Britain a year prior and has turned its attention to the retail of sporting goods. DWW Deutsche Woolworth GmbH & Co. OHG is founded.

2005

330 stores

Woolworth operates 330 stores across Germany.

2008

Restructuring

The stores adapt to the customers' requirements. The product range is restructured and all locations are fitted with an automatic treadmill.

2009

Insolvency

In April, the company files for insolvency with the Frankfurt am Main district court, but it is thankfully able to avoid closure.

2010

A new concept

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.

Expansion

Here you can learn even more about our company.