Anyone notice the exratordinary volumes yesterday? (10/5/2004)

48 million!!!

Many more buys than sells.

That and the price held out only losing a fraction of a penny.

No Easter Eggs in sight in my local store.

May be one reason but............

Any ideas people?

Perhaps I should not have spoken - yet again it goes red and with buys many many times more than sells (as usual),

oakapples I just had to do it.

I am in with 2 lots for just under 41p so I am happy.

In truth I do not se under 40p, (says me hopefully).

We cab have a bit of fun with this till the 14th january and maybe after.

The 10/10 format will make a difference plus I need to get some new mugs so I will pop in there today.

With all this going for it, all should be fine.

Good for you SWW - I am going to stay in if only to read your posts - Have a great Christmas

good look SWW i reckon it could go well but then again who am i to say

Thats it, bought 6 mugs and look, the share price goes up!

Gawd Bless Us.

Merry Christmas Ev'ry One!

Well done SWW - bet you didn`t get 3 for 2 thats why the SP is up. I too have just been out and return to find I have no red but only blue in my stocks - think I will go out again !!
Merry Christmas

From ADVFN, looks like I got in just right!!!


Starts

Britons flock to shops in last-minute Xmas spree

Wed Dec 22, 2004 01:27 PM GMT

By Trevor Datson

LONDON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - British shoppers are staging a last-minute dash to the high streets that could help retailers make up for ground lost during a sluggish build-up to Christmas, figures showed on Wednesday.

With just three days left of the crucial holiday shopping season, retail information group FootFall said shopper numbers in Britain's malls and high streets on Tuesday were up 31 percent on the previous Tuesday.

There were also 20 percent more present-hunters on the prowl than on the same day last year, although the figures are not strictly comparable since Dec. 21, 2003, was a Sunday with its restricted trading hours.

"The week-on-week increase...is to be expected at this time of year, but even so is a good indicator that people are flocking to the shops," FootFall's David Smyth said, adding that there was more reason for good cheer among retailers.

"More significant is the fact that Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 this year were 9.4 percent up on the same dates last year -- the final weekend before Christmas 2003. This week is showing all the signs of being very good for retailers," Smyth said.

Some retailers make up to half of their annual turnover in the Christmas quarter, and electricals chains like Dixons (DXNS.L: Quote, Profile, Research) and Kesa (KESA.L: Quote, Profile, Research) are especially sensitive to December and January sales.

STAND OFF ON MAIN ST.

This pre-Christmas selling season has been seen as a stand-off between streetwise consumers waiting for retailers to lose their nerve and start their seasonal sales early, and retailers trying to hold firm in the hope of moving as much of their stock as possible at full price.

The result so far has been a stalemate, with some disounting but no sign of panic spreading among top high-street names such as Marks & Spencer (MKS.L: Quote, Profile, Research) , Boots (BOOT.L: Quote, Profile, Research) and Debenhams.

Increased shopper numbers do not necessarily translate directly into higher spending, and high interest rates, flat house prices and a reluctance among consumers to increase household debt will all take their toll.

But the latest figures could be a sign that the shoppers have blinked first.
"It could well be evidence of a late boom," said Richard Perks, retail analyst at Mintel International.

"The fact that Christmas is two days later (five straight shopping days in the run-up to Dec. 25 instead of three) does make a big difference, and it does make it more difficult to judge what's happening. I do think people are cautious but I also think that December sales will be up overall," Perks said.

One significant factor could be that Tuesday was the last day Internet retailers like Amazon (AMZN.O: Quote, Profile, Research) were accepting orders for Christmas delivery, Smyth said.

"It's probably right to assume that those people who were going to order on line, but have not managed it to date, will be looking to buy on the traditional high street over the coming few days," he said."

SWW - (best Dell Boy voice) "You know it makes sense"
;>)

Whoo.............below 40p!

Must say the press has been aweful over the Christmas period.

With the FSE demanding that retailers tell all, it may be an interesting period.

I mustr say footfall could have a lot to answer for if they have given duff info out. Looks like speculation with hedge betting thorn in just for good measure.

UK Retail - First full day of sales disappoints
AFX
Monday 27th Dec 2004 versus Saturday 27th Dec 2003 (year-on-year) DOWN 5.9%.

Natasha Burton, marketing manager at FootFall comments: "The year-on-year decrease for this first full day of sales when compared with the first full day of sales in 2003 is a little disappointing after early anecdotal evidence suggested that this could have been a recording breaking day.

Unless they were serious bargain hunters, some potential shoppers may have been dissuaded from going to the shops fearing extra traffic and crowds, preferring to spend the time with their families, or enjoying the presents they had already received.

Lets not also forget that today, Tuesday, is also a holiday, giving shoppers the opportunity to spread their bargain hunting over the two days. I think it will be necessary to look at the cumulative figure of both days to see the true picture.

Although shopper volumes are lower, final retail trading figures will reveal whether these sales day shoppers were seriously out to spend instead of just browsing she concludes.

Afternoon all, wlw mybe dead in the water now,been to my local store and i no the manager well,they have had a visit on boxing day from the suits,not a good story in there store..
I even had some free dvd`s for the kids off him,,spider`man,the ultimate villain showdown & power-rangers,the movie,retail at 9.99,sale price 2.99 each.

ps ,they also had 20 time computers set ups to sell,,sale price 599,,none sold up to now , been in store 6 weeks he said.

Tell,him 599 is way over the top just now.

Knock them out at 399 and they may sell.

Leave electronics to PC World and Co.

That explains that!

The Company really should stick to basics.

Looks like WLW is in for a rough ride then, how far down before rebound I wonder?

Agree SWW - Or better still John Lewis who will match (and normally better) any price and give you a better guarantee

Woolworths Group PLC
04 January 2005

Woolworths Group Plc


Post-Christmas Trading Statement


4 January 2005



Woolworths Group plc is today providing an update on its trading performance
over the Christmas period and for the 48 weeks to 1 January 2005.


In the four weeks to 1 January 2005, like-for-like sales in Woolworths Mainchain
were flat against last year. This followed a weak November in which sales of
entertainment products and toys were disappointing. In entertainment, there was
a shortage of electronic games hardware and key DVD releases underperformed
market expectations. In toys, the overall market was difficult and the sales
uplift in the Mainchain did not fully reflect the increase in space given to the
category.


In the four weeks to 1 January 2005, like-for-like sales at Woolworths big W
declined by 8.0% and at MVC by 4.7%. The performance at Woolworths big W
reflects the impact of the phased exit from a number of non-core categories in
preparation for the disposal or cut down of a number of sites. MVC was impacted
by an unusually high number of competitor openings in over two thirds of its
catchments.


In the 48 weeks to 1 January 2005, total Group sales, including share of joint
ventures, rose by 2.9%, with the Entertainment Wholesale and Publishing
businesses up by 31.6% and the Retail fascias down by 3.3%. Like-for-like sales
in the Mainchain were down by 1.5%, Woolworths big W was down by 4.1% and MVC
was down by 5.3%.


The gross margin for the combined Mainchain and Woolworths big W businesses has
continued to improve and subject to the year-end store stock counts, it is
anticipated that for the year as a whole it will be approximately 30 basis
points ahead of last year.


Despite the weak retail sales, the Group maintained a tight control over costs
and stock. As a consequence, it is anticipated that at the year-end, seasonal
stocks will be at a comparable level to last year. Throughout the year, the
Company has performed well operationally and has delivered a high level of
in-store availability together with improved levels of customer service.


At the 58 refurbished 10/10 stores, sales and margins continue to perform ahead
of the rest of the Mainchain. This performance, combined with second year growth
and reduced capital expenditure per store continues to evidence a sound
investment case.


Good progress continues to be made with the restructuring of Woolworths big W.
Contracts have been exchanged for the complete disposal of seven sites subject
to receipt of landlord approval. Interest has been shown in the excess space in
a number of the remaining stores and two stores were cut down in October and
traded through Christmas. The net exceptional cost of the big W restructuring is
not anticipated to exceed the guidance given last March, although it will be
spread across two financial years and the cash impact is expected to be
substantially lower. A more detailed update will be given within the preliminary
results announcement.


Entertainment UK has performed well over the Christmas period and despite the
pressure on its gross margin the increased volume from new customers will result
in its profits for the year being marginally ahead of last year.


2entertain, our joint venture with BBC Worldwide, has enjoyed a particularly
strong Christmas with three titles ('Little Britain-Complete First Series', '
That Peter Kay Thing' and 'Jeremy Clarkson-Hot Metal') all being in the top 20
DVD chart in the week before Christmas. As a consequence, the full year profit
contribution to the Woolworths Group from video and music publishing will be
ahead of last year.


The Board anticipates that the Group profit for the year, before tax,
exceptional items and goodwill, will be similar to last year.


Commenting on the Christmas trading performance Trevor Bish-Jones, Chief
Executive said:


'Although we are disappointed with the sales performance in our Retail business,
we have made good progress on improving the gross margin and remain confident
about the potential of Woolworths and our Entertainment businesses. Woolworths
has responded well to investment in systems and stores, which has resulted in a
better store environment, an improved product offering and has made us
significantly stronger operationally. Using our strong positive cash flow we are
confident that continued investment in our stores will underpin future growth.'


The Group intends to announce its preliminary results for the year to 29 January
2005 on the 23 March 2005.

Woolworth struggles
MoneyAM
Woolworths Group expects its full-year group profit before tax to be similar to last year.

The group reported a difficult Christmas trading period.

In the four weeks to January 1st 2005, like-for-like sales in its Woolworths mainchain stores were flat against last year, following a weak November in which the company said sales of entertainment products and toys were 'disappointing.'

During the same period like-for-like sales at its home entertainment retail business MVC fell by 4.7%, which the company attributed to 'an unusually high number of competitor openings.'

Now this will be interesting to see what happens during the week!

36

Or less.......

This is without doubt a profits warning, WLW depend on Christmas for the rest of the year so they would seem to be in trouble.

Who next?

Dave I think this will hold around 37 - 39p now till the trading statement which will rehash this.

That will be the day I see it going sub 35p for most of the spring and summer.

If they fail to hold up then, it will be a very difficult year for Woolworths with everything being pinned on next Christmas.

Probably not the best time to invest in them!

All imho etc.

Pick your own off the floor,and not from the shelf,could be a nice pay day in the future,still no position yet.

This trading update according to the forward diary on text should have come on the 14th - I wish it had frankly, as other retailers would have also given
out figures by then and it could have been put into a better perspective.
As it is these were - I think - the first announced following the Xmas
period and frankly that ain't a good move unless you're going to report
something more positive - at least it's recovered a bit from earlier
when it dipped to 36 odd pence.....Bit like the Titanic now, just holding
on to the wreckage....
:>(