So much more...

Traditionally the 500 smaller Woolworths store in the UK had delivered almost all of its profit. Yet those stores were left until last to get a facelift. When it came, the proposed solution was radical, offering shoppers access to the full range of 300,000 items via an ordering system.

The branch at Kingswood on the outskirts of Bristol was chosen to pilot the concept and was given a fancy shopfit. But despite all of the hard work, the sales uplift was not high enough to justify rolling the layout out nationally. Instead stores had to make do with the merchandise offer, without any of the expenditure on refurbishment, or even running repairs.

If the Company had had deeper pockets, maybe more would have been given the Kingswood look, or maybe it just showed how the value roots had been lost as the chain had tried to modernise.

Woolworths '5/5'
The prototype for a new generation
of small stores , November 2005

Kingswood, Bristol Image Gallery

Woolworths Kingswood Bristol '5/5' formatA new format for the smaller and most profitable stores, piloted in Kingdwood Bristol and pictured on opening day, 5 November 2005

Photographer: Helen Pardoe. Gallery ©Copyright 3D and 6D Pictures Ltd, 2005-2016

Woolworths Kingswood Bristol Store front of the small, local Kingswood Woolworths on the outskirts of Bristol

Window display A large purple banner promises much more than you see in store, thanks to an extended range which was available to order (2005)

Entrance Doors The sliding entrance doors to the Kingswood, Bristol Woolworths store, pictured in November 2005

Long view from the entrance A view down the main aisle of the Kingswood Woolworths store, pictured on 5 November 2005

An abundance of Christmas cards, wrapping paper, Xmas Trees and Wreaths on display in the Kingswood Woolworths (2005)

Christmas Seasonal Displays An abundance of Christmas cards, wrapping paper, Xmas Trees and Wreaths on display in the Kingswood Woolworths (2005)

Christmas Gondola 3 for 2 mix and match Christmas Cards, wrapping paper and gift tags at the Kingswood Woolworths in 2005

Kingswood shoppers were able to order 400 additional Christmas Decoration lines from a catalogue, for collection from the Woolworths store on their next visit

Christmas Extras Kingswood shoppers were able to order 400 additional Christmas Decoration lines from a catalogue, for collection from the Woolworths store on their next visit

A brightly decorated beacon containing five different Christmas Trees, helping shoppers to find the Christmas ranges at the Kingswood Woolworths (5 November 2005)

Christmas Beacon A brightly decorated beacon containing five different Christmas Trees, helping shoppers to find the Christmas ranges at the Kingswood Woolworths (5 November 2005)

The corporate ID from Kingswood offered shoppers 'so much more than what's in store' with an extended range of up to 300,000 items available to order

So much more The corporate ID from Kingswood offered shoppers 'so much more than what's in store' with an extended range of up to 300,000 items available to order

An extended range of televisions, DVD and VHS players as well as computer games and other digital technology were available to order from Woolworths Kingswood (2005)

Televisions and digital An extended range of televisions, DVD and VHS players as well as computer games and other digital technology were available to order from Woolworths Kingswood (2005)

The highly condensed sweet counters were displayed right next to the tills, offering the traditional range from much less space than in earlier days at the Kingswood Woolworths (2005)

Confectionery The highly condensed sweet counters were displayed right next to the tills, offering the traditional range from much less space than in earlier days at the Kingswood Woolworths (2005)

The Entertainment Department was located towards the back of the Kingswood store, but continued to offer a huge amount of music and video (2005)

CDs and DVDs The Entertainment Department was located towards the back of the Kingswood store, but continued to offer a huge amount of music and video (2005)

A bold display of seasonal sweets, including all-time favourites like tins of Quality Streets and Roses, alongside newer lines like Cadbury's Heroes and Celebrations, in the Kingswood Woolworths (2005)

Seasonal sweets A bold display of seasonal sweets, including all-time favourites like tins of Quality Streets and Roses, alongside newer lines like Cadbury's Heroes and Celebrations, in the Kingswood Woolworths (2005)

Sweets Confectionery countlines displayed on a tall beanstalk counter adjacent to the main gangway in Woolworths Kingswood (2005)

Pic'n'Mix Counter A gondola island display of weigh-out candy in Woolworths Kingswood (2005)

Woolworths Kingswood had a selection of hundreds of gift ideas, picked out with spotlighting and bright signage at Christmas 2005

Seasonal gifts Woolworths Kingswood had a selection of hundreds of gift ideas, picked out with spotlighting and bright signage at Christmas 2005

Despite its small size, customers found the directional signage useful in finding the ranges they were looking for at Woolworths Kingswood. This feature got particularly good feedback.

Directional signage Despite its small size, customers found the directional signage useful in finding the ranges they were looking for at Woolworths Kingswood. This feature got particularly good feedback.

Tall illuminated racks were used to display greeting cards to advantage. Clever use of signage makes this fixture appear to be built into the Kingswood Woolworths store.

Greeting cards Tall illuminated racks were used to display greeting cards to advantage. Clever use of signage makes this fixture appear to be built into the Kingswood Woolworths store.

Order and Collect Desk As part of its new look, the Kingswood Woolworths had a dedicated order and collect desk alongside the main tills (2005)

Despite its success elsewhere, designers forewent the zig zag style of checkout used in larger stores, preferring the traditional desktop arrangement in Kingswood, near Bristol.

Main Cash Desk Despite its success elsewhere, designers forewent the zig zag style of checkout used in larger stores, preferring the traditional desktop arrangement in Kingswood, near Bristol.

Cash desk (wide view) A long view of the cash desk and order and collection point in the Kingswood Woolworths (2005)

The fun learning was one of the successes of Woolworths' Kids and Celebrations Strategy. This is the display at Kingswood, Bristol in 2005

Fun learning The fun learning was one of the successes of Woolworths' Kids and Celebrations Strategy. This is the display at Kingswood, Bristol in 2005

Despite its small size, the entertainment displays accounted for almost a quarter of the selling space in Woolworths Kingswood in 2005

Film Chart Despite its small size, the entertainment displays accounted for almost a quarter of the selling space in Woolworths Kingswood in 2005

A whole aisle of entertainment products, stretching from the centre of the Kingswood store to the back. The display includes an IBM/Retec touch-screen ordering kiosk (2005)

Entertainment aisle A whole aisle of entertainment products, stretching from the centre of the Kingswood store to the back. The display includes an IBM/Retec touch-screen ordering kiosk (2005)

Chart DVD Reflecting the popularity of boxed sets, alongside a standard DVD chart, the Kingswood Woolworths had another just for TV series (2005)

Audio Accessories An extensive range of blanks CDs, DVDs, Audio Tapes and VHS tapes on display at the Kingswood, Bristol Woolworths in 2005

Showcases were used to introduce shoppers to the extended ranges that were available to order from Woolworths Kingswood in 2005

Chart Showcase Showcases were used to introduce shoppers to the extended ranges that were available to order from Woolworths Kingswood in 2005

Sony PlayStation and PlayStation Portable games featured strongly in the range of software displayed at the Kingswood Woolworths in 2005

Computer software Sony PlayStation and PlayStation Portable games featured strongly in the range of software displayed at the Kingswood Woolworths in 2005

Toys A wide selection of toys to suit all ages and budgets, on display in Woolworths, Kingswood, Bristol in 2005

The toys showcase above the main displays introduced shoppers to the extended range of larger items like sit'n'rides that were available to order for collection in the store the next day (2005)

Toys Showcase The toys showcase above the main displays introduced shoppers to the extended range of larger items like sit'n'rides that were available to order for collection in the store the next day (2005)

An IBM/Retec touch screen ordering kiosk, perched in the middle of the Entertainment displays in Woolworths, Kingswood, Bristol in 2005

Entertainment Ordering Kiosk An IBM/Retec touch screen ordering kiosk, perched in the middle of the Entertainment displays in Woolworths, Kingswood, Bristol in 2005

The touch-screen kiosk offered customers access to the 300,000 products available through woolworths.co.uk in 2005, many of which were supplied by sister company Entertainment UK Ltd

Kiosk The touch-screen kiosk offered customers access to the 300,000 products available through woolworths.co.uk in 2005, many of which were supplied by sister company Entertainment UK Ltd

The Kingswood Woolworths range included many decorative items for the Home, including an extended range which was available for home delivery or in-store collection the next day (2005)

Picture frames The Kingswood Woolworths range included many decorative items for the Home, including an extended range which was available for home delivery or in-store collection the next day (2005)

Simple kitchen electrical appliances like kettles and toasters were sold from the shelves in-store at Woolworths Kingswood, while many more elaborate items like espresso coffee makers were available to order for next day delivery

Kitchen Appliances Simple kitchen electrical appliances like kettles and toasters were sold from the shelves in-store at Woolworths Kingswood, while many more elaborate items like espresso coffee makers were available to order for next day delivery

The displays of Ladybird Baby Clothes in Woolworths, Kingswood, Bristol in 2005. Many more items were available to order from the Baby Shop Catalogue in the foreground.

Ladybird baby clothes The displays of Ladybird Baby Clothes in Woolworths, Kingswood, Bristol in 2005. Many more items were available to order from the Baby Shop Catalogue in the foreground.

During the 2000s Woolworths cornered the market in dress-up outfits, with licences of all the major characters like Spiderman, Disney Princess, Postman Pat and Star Wars

Dress-up Outfits During the 2000s Woolworths cornered the market in dress-up outfits, with licences of all the major characters like Spiderman, Disney Princess, Postman Pat and Star Wars

Ladybird clothes for Toddlers A hanging display of Ladybird Clothes for pre-schoolers, in the Kingswood, Bristol Woolworths (2005)

A large showcase introduces shoppers to items like puschairs (strollers), which were too large to stock in small stores like Kingswood, Bristol, but which could be ordered for next day delivery or collection in-store

Kids Accessories and Showcase A large showcase introduces shoppers to items like puschairs (strollers), which were too large to stock in small stores like Kingswood, Bristol, but which could be ordered for next day delivery or collection in-store

This display of baby accessories in the Kingswood, Bristol Woolworths, includes an ordering catalogue, bright purple point-of-sale and even a scrolling digital information board

Baby Accessories This display of baby accessories in the Kingswood, Bristol Woolworths, includes an ordering catalogue, bright purple point-of-sale and even a scrolling digital information board

Ladybird Graphics The elaborate graphics that Woolworths developed for Ladybird Clothing in the 2000s, after the retailer had bougt the brand name outright

A display cabinet above the babywear displays at Woolworths Kingswood showcases examples from the retailer's range of Ladybird-branded pushchairs (2005)

Puschair Showcase A display cabinet above the babywear displays at Woolworths Kingswood showcases examples from the retailer's range of Ladybird-branded pushchairs (2005)

Long view The salesfloor of the experimental Kingswood Woolworths store in 2005, looking from the back towards the main entrance

A long view towards the kiosk ordering point, which dominated the back wall of the experimental Kingswood Woolworths when it opened on 5 November 2005

Order Point A long view towards the kiosk ordering point, which dominated the back wall of the experimental Kingswood Woolworths when it opened on 5 November 2005

Kiosk cafe A closer view of the three IBM/Retec touchscreen kiosks at the order point on the back wall of the Kingswood Woolworths in 2005.

Shoppers could touch the screen to search Woolworths' entire range of 300,000 items from one of these kiosks at an order point on the back wall of the Kingswood store

Touch the screen Shoppers could touch the screen to search Woolworths' entire range of 300,000 items from one of these kiosks at an order point on the back wall of the Kingswood store

Chairs were provided at the Kingswood ordering point, to allow customers to sit in comfort as they browsed the Woolworths extended ordering range (2005)

Order in comfort Chairs were provided at the Kingswood ordering point, to allow customers to sit in comfort as they browsed the Woolworths extended ordering range (2005)

That's an order ... or it would be if anyone touched the screen! Kingswood Woolworths' customer ordering area in 2005.

Portal Nicknamed the portal, a bank of three kiosks formed an ordering point along the back wall of the Kingswood Woolworths in 2005

State-of-the-art A pair of IBM/Retec touch-screen ordering kiosks at the Kingswood Woolworths Ordering Point

A showcase above a display of boys toys, showing the extended range that was available to order from the Kingswood Woolworths in 2005, including large items like BMX bikes

Toys Showcase A showcase above a display of boys toys, showing the extended range that was available to order from the Kingswood Woolworths in 2005, including large items like BMX bikes

Fire Exit The extravagant shopfit in the Kingswood Woolworths included these remarkable fire doors with inlaid graphics

Bathroom accessories on display in the Kingswood, Bristol Woolworths in 2005. Extra items were also available to order from the catalogue on the right

Bathroom ideas Bathroom accessories on display in the Kingswood, Bristol Woolworths in 2005. Extra items were also available to order from the catalogue on the right

The Kingswood Woolworths was able to display most of the duvets and pillows that filled almost 40 feet in the nearby Imperial Parkstore in just one four foot wall bay (2005)

Bedding and Textiles The Kingswood Woolworths was able to display most of the duvets and pillows that filled almost 40 feet in the nearby Imperial Parkstore in just one four foot wall bay (2005)

The fancy paintwork made the Kingswood Woolworths' goods lift look spectacular, though beind the extravagant styling was the same Evans Lift that had served the store for more than fifty years. (2005)

What a lift The fancy paintwork made the Kingswood Woolworths' goods lift look spectacular, though beind the extravagant styling was the same Evans Lift that had served the store for more than fifty years. (2005)

An extended range of bikes were available to order at the Kingswood Woolworths. Shoppers could collect their purchases in-store the next day or opt for home delivery.

Bicycle showcase An extended range of bikes were available to order at the Kingswood Woolworths. Shoppers could collect their purchases in-store the next day or opt for home delivery.

Woolworths Group's acquisition of Bertrams Books Ltd prompted the company to experiment with Book Charts as part of the Entertainment Department (2005)

Book Chart Woolworths Group's acquisition of Bertrams Books Ltd prompted the company to experiment with Book Charts as part of the Entertainment Department (2005)

A specially made paper catalogue allowed technology-resistant shoppers to browse the extended range of toys that were available to order in a non threatening way

Boys Toys Catalogue A specially made paper catalogue allowed technology-resistant shoppers to browse the extended range of toys that were available to order in a non threatening way

A close up of the laminated pages of the bespoke Boys Toys catalogue which had been hand-made for the experimental Kingswood, Bristol Woolworths (2005)

Catalogue Pages A close up of the laminated pages of the bespoke Boys Toys catalogue which had been hand-made for the experimental Kingswood, Bristol Woolworths (2005)

Catalogue Order Point The floating catalogue order point clipped onto the shelving wherever it was required

Woolworths Kingswood boasted that it had 600 Christmas gifts to choose from, many of them offered at three for the price of two

600 Christmas Gifts Woolworths Kingswood boasted that it had 600 Christmas gifts to choose from, many of them offered at three for the price of two

The range of computer accessories and batteries were placed right next to the main tills in the experimental Kingswood Woolworths in 2005

Computer Accessories The range of computer accessories and batteries were placed right next to the main tills in the experimental Kingswood Woolworths in 2005

Take me home today ... a bit hard given the 'sorry this item is temporarily out of stock' label!

Electrical items used a select and collect arrangement, requiring shoppers to present a ticket at the till rather than physical item. This was to reduce shoplifting.

Select and Collect Kettles Electrical items used a select and collect arrangement, requiring shoppers to present a ticket at the till rather than physical item. This was to reduce shoplifting.

Speech bubbles like these formed a key part of the communication package about 'elastic walls' in the Kingswood Woolworths (2005)

Order us today signage Speech bubbles like these formed a key part of the communication package about 'elastic walls' in the Kingswood Woolworths (2005)

Implementation Manager David Campbell grabs a photo of the Kingswood staff before the store opened its doors after refurbishment on 5 November 2005

Preparing to open Implementation Manager David Campbell grabs a photo of the Kingswood staff before the store opened its doors after refurbishment on 5 November 2005

Say cheese The Kingswood Store Manager prepares for the ribbon cutting ceremony to declare his new look Woolworths open (5 November 2005)

Cutting the ribbon There were almost 500 ribbon cutting ceremonies like this at Woolworths between 2000 and 2008

The ribbon falls I do declare ... this Woolworths is now open

Wooly and Worth great the world On the doorstep of the Kingswood Woolworths with the Project Manager Helen Pardoe

Wooly and Worth, and Kingswood Project Manager Helen Pardoe, welcome shoppers to the new look Woolworths store on the outskirts of Bristol

Wooly and Worth wave Wooly and Worth, and Kingswood Project Manager Helen Pardoe, welcome shoppers to the new look Woolworths store on the outskirts of Bristol

Wooly and Worth dwarf Helen Pardoe Who would have known that a sheep dog and a sheep would be so much larger than a human?

Hello Kingswood Brand characters Wooly and Worth make a personal appearance on the doorstep of the Kingswood Woolworths (5 November 2005)

Happy Customers Shoppers patiently queuing to pay on the opening day of the Kingswood Woolworths

Wooly and Worth (again) Poor old Wooly and Worth are all alone here on the doorstep of the Kingswood Woolworths

James Collins The Proposition Director behind the five five store. We expected so much more.

The Proposition Director behind the experimental Kingswood Woolworths. The Board had loads more choice and only every converted another couple of stores to the layout shown in these pictures.

James Collins The Proposition Director behind the experimental Kingswood Woolworths. The Board had loads more choice and only every converted another couple of stores to the layout shown in these pictures.