Big W 3428007 224338779 2008-07-08T12:20:20Z Murtoa 1860987 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 224337516 by [[Special:Contributions/60.240.101.18|60.240.101.18]] ([[User talk:60.240.101.18|talk]]) {{otheruses1|1=the Australia department store}} {{Refimprove|date=May 2008}} {{Infobox_Company | name = Big W | logo = [[Image:Big W.svg|230px]] | type = Subsidiary | company_slogan = ''Live Big For Less'' | foundation = 1970s | location_city = [[Bella Vista, New South Wales]] | location_country = {{AUS}} | key_people = [[Greg Foran]], General Manager | industry = [[Retail]] | num_employees = 25,000 | products = Leisure, apparel, consumables, homewares | revenue = | parent = [[Woolworths Limited]] | homepage = [http://www.bigw.com.au www.bigw.com.au] }} '''Big W''' is the second-largest chain of discount department stores in Australia, with over 140 stores. It is a division of [[Woolworths Limited]], the largest retailer in Australia. Its main competitors are [[Kmart Australia|Kmart]] and [[Target (Australia)|Target]], both owned by [[Wesfarmers]]. ==History== Woolworths Limited's original Woolworths variety stores carried a range of general merchandise. Later, the scope of these stores grew to include groceries, which then became their focus. In the 1970s the company created two chains to separate these lines: Big W and [[Woolworths (supermarkets)|Woolworths supermarkets]]. This process was largely completed in 1989, although a few Woolworths Variety stores existed into the 1990s (such as the one in [[Rundle Mall]], [[Adelaide]]).{{Fact|date=August 2007}} Currently, Big W has over 140 stores with 25,000 employees and is growing rapidly{{Fact|date=May 2008}}. It plans to revamp more than half its stores and develop new stores.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} Stores are planned for [[Geelong, Victoria|Geelong]], [[Warrnambool, Victoria|Warrnambool]] and [[Doncaster, Victoria]] and [[Joondalup, Western Australia|Joondalup]] and [[Armadale, Western Australia]] and [[Robina, Queensland]].{{Fact|date=May 2008}} In 2009 the development of the Hallett Cove, South Australia Big W, spanning 35,000sqm will be completed as part of the Hallett Cove Mall renovation. <ref>http://www.sensational-adelaide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=233</ref> In 2006, Woolworths along with Big W rolled out new [[Retalix]] [[point of sale]] systems running on [[IBM]] POS hardware with [[liquid crystal display|LCD]] touchscreens throughout all its stores. <ref>{{cite web|title= Australia's Woolworths Meets Store Service Strategy with Retalix StoreLine|accessdate=2007-10-14|publisher=Internet Retailer|url=http://www.internetretailer.com/internet/marketing-conference/66458-australias-woolworths-meets-store-service-strategy-retalix-storeline.html}}</ref> In October 2007, Woolworths announced a $1 billion makeover of Big W, including a new store format, logo and slogan. The first store with the new format is located in the [[Rouse Hill Town Centre]] in [[New South Wales]], which first opened on [[March 6]], [[2008]]. <ref>{{citation|publisher=Australian Financial Review|date=22 October 2007|title=Woolies plans to put big back in Big W|page=14}}</ref> The new logo started appearing in advertisements, store dockets, and a redesigned Big W website on [[October 24]], [[2007]]. The former tagline "We sell for less" was replaced with "Live big for less". ==Business== One of Big W's key strategies is "everyday low prices".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigw.com.au/Pages/About2.asp| publisher=Big W|title=About Big W|accessdate=2007-10-14}}</ref> Thus, Big W never has storewide percentage-off days as Kmart does. Nevertheless, Big W still has a weekly catalogue advertising these "everyday low prices", which generally runs from Thursday to Wednesday (coinciding with the period of Kmart's weekly catalogue). Many of the techniques used by Big W in promotions are nearly identical to the US chain [[Wal-Mart]], such as the in store "smiley face" and the "price rollback".{{Fact|date=October 2007}} Indeed, former Woolworths Chief Executive Officer and former Big W Managing Director, [[Roger Corbett]], has a mentor relationship with a former President of Wal-Mart, and has been appointed to the board of the American retailer.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} ==Stores== Most Big W stores are located in suburban and regional locations. However, in recent years three stores have been opened in central business districts, at [[Macarthur Central]] in [[Brisbane]] (two levels), [[Queen Victoria Village|QV]] in [[Melbourne]], and the [[Canberra Centre]] in [[City Centre, Australian Capital Territory|City Centre]], [[Canberra]]. ==Services== Services such as lay-by, parcel pick-up, home delivery, photo processing and price checkpoints are typical of most Australin discount department stores. Woolworths' Ezy-Banking Services are also available, while in South Australia, Big W trialled the provision of optometry services and has since added these services to some Queensland stores. ==Sales== Big W has several major sales annually, most coinciding with sales held by its rivals Kmart and Target.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} The largest is the July toy sale, generally coinciding with toy sales by Kmart and Target. A further toy sale is held in late September/early October. The July toy sale is a key indicator to business and retail performance measurements for the new financial year.{{fact|date=June 2008}} Big W has two annual "stocktake sales", coinciding with other retailers' post Christmas and mid-year sales. Big W also has special events to bring in seasonal clothing ranges and new homewares. The launch of Christmas trading in early to mid-November also sees special offers and store centered marketing. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.bigw.com.au Big W] {{Woolworths}} [[Category:Retail companies of Australia]] [[Category:Discount stores]] [[Category:Department stores of Australia]]