Big W

Big W is one of the largest chain of discount department stores in Australia, with 168 stores. It is a division of Woolworths Limited, the second largest retailer in Australia. Its main competitors are Kmart and Target, both owned by Wesfarmers. Woolworths Limited's original Woolworths variety stores carried a range of general merchandise. An increasing percentage of later stores opened sold supermarket grocery lines, which eventually became the company's focus. In the 1960s the company created an additional store type (Big W) to complement the Woolworths supermarkets and, ultimately, replace the extensive variety store network. The first Big W branded standalone store opened its doors in 1976 in Tamworth . The separation of Big W and...