Woolworths boss commends new e-commerce store

10:41 25th June 2009

The chief executive of Woolworths Online has hailed the speed at which it is possible to set up an e-commerce store.

Last year, the established high street retail brand went into administration, although the name has now been brought back on a new shopping website, which has launched today.

Mark Newton-Jones, chief executive of parent company Shop Direct Group, has praised the development, particularly as this year marks the centenary of Woolworths.

"From acquiring the brand to launching, it has only been 20 weeks," he commented.

This, he said, is "something you could never achieve with a high street business but can do online".

Mr Newton-Jones added that the new e-commerce store would offer the very best of what consumers liked about the old high street stores.

However, he noted that the selection of products sold through the website will be "significantly bigger" than those on offer in the past.

Meanwhile, Matthew Hardcastle, the head of Woolworths, has stated that the e-commerce store should make it easier for it to sell bulkier items to consumers.

Speaking to Reuters, he said he hopes the website will be one of those online portals that is visited by families on a regular basis.

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