German discount retailer Woolworth has opened its first store in Slovakia, marking the start of an ambitious push into central Europe’s budget retail market.
The chain’s debut outlet — in Bory Mall, a major shopping centre in Bratislava — spans 1,100 square metres across two floors. It sells a broad range of non-food products, from clothing and homeware to toys and seasonal decorations, according to Slovak media reports.
Woolworth, which already operates around 800 shops in Germany, plans to open up to 20 new Slovak stores each year. The next branches are expected in Prešov, Michalovce and Spišská Nová Ves by the end of 2025, with recruitment also under way in Trnava, Žilina, Liptovský Mikuláš, Revúca and Ružomberok.
The company will compete directly with Pepco, Action, Tedi and Kik, which together generated nearly €370 million in sales in Slovakia last year. Woolworth says it aims to attract customers with a mix of low prices and mid-range quality, offering roughly 15,000 products per store.
Founded in the United States in 1879, the original Woolworth grew into one of the world’s largest retail empires and built New York’s Woolworth Building, then the tallest skyscraper in the world. The American chain later declined under competition pressure and rebranded as Foot Locker in the 1990s.
Today’s Woolworth is a separate German company, which became independent after the collapse of its US parent in 1998. It now operates in Germany, Austria and Poland — where it launched last year — and aims to expand from about 900 stores to 5,000 across Europe.
The company’s entry into Slovakia underscores how discount chains are accelerating their expansion in central and eastern Europe, targeting consumers who are still price-conscious but spending more on home and fashion goods.