The first F. W. Woolworth store, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. It opened on 21st June 1879

US Origins

Today most people think of Woolies as quintessentially British. But the founder, Frank Woolworth, was an American farm boy who learnt book-keeping at night school and served an apprenticeship in his local general store.

Woolworth and his boss, William Moore, came up with the idea of a table selling every item at the fixed price of five cents. It was a big hit and Frank decided to try his own dedicated fixed price store. Moore lent him the money. Before long he opened a second store and added a ten cent line, and Five-and-Ten Cent Stores were born. 33 years later the business floated for $65m!

Frank Woolworth, pictured in his best top hat and smoking a cigar The values of the value champions

Frank opened his first store in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA on 21st June 1879. The store was 100 square feet and the total investment to get started was just $300. By 4pm on the first day the store had taken next-to-nothing and Woolworth was worried. Then just after five o'clock, as people left work, the store filled with people and by nightfall had taken $127.65 and looked shot!

From the earliest days Frank was very clear about his values. Great prices on a great range (what we call "product and value obsessed today"), low overheads and mass production principles ("simple"), welcoming everyone ("classless"), handing down history and traditions ("pride") and championing new ideas ("innovative"). Much has changed over 128 years, but these five core values sustain our business today.

Better buying            An original trade card from Frank Woolworth's first store in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

In the early years Woolworth bought every product himself doing the deal before handing over to his clerks to take care of the freight arrangements. By 1890 he was also buying for a consortium of five friendly rival five and ten cent store companies. He travelled the globe, taking advantage of the new automation in European factories. This is what brought him to the UK and inspired the British openings.

In 1912 the friendly rivals merged to form F. W. Woolworth Co., making the founders fabulously rich and allowing Frank to build the world's tallest building for cash!