Lexi Webster
Big W is an Australian discount department store chain that first opened in Tamworth in 1976. Since then, it has expanded to 176 stores across Australia, offering a wide range of general merchandise, including gardening equipment and products. In 2007, Big W began trialling optometry services, with selected stores in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory offering these services. However, in 2019, Big W Optical closed down, and the company partnered with Specsavers to continue providing eye care services to its customers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Big W stores in Australia | 176 |
| Year the first Big W store opened | 1976 |
| Location of the first Big W store | Tamworth |
| Year Big W opened its first small-format store | 2022 |
| Location of the first small-format store | Town Hall, Sydney |
| Year Big W launched its first party store | 2014 |
| Location of the first party store | Rouse Hill Town Centre, New South Wales |
| Year Big W Optical closed | 2019 |
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What You'll Learn
There are currently 176 Big W stores in Australia
Big W is a popular discount department store chain in Australia, offering a wide range of general merchandise. The brand was developed by Woolworths Limited to provide Australian shoppers with a comprehensive one-stop shopping experience. Since its first store opened in Tamworth in 1976, Big W has expanded significantly, and as of 2025, there are 176 Big W stores scattered across Australia.
The success of the Tamworth store led to the establishment of numerous other Big W locations, with the company continuously evolving its offerings to meet customer needs. For example, in the 1980s and early 2000s, many Big W stores featured garden centres, though these were eventually phased out due to declining plant sales. Big W was also an early adopter of self-checkouts, introducing them to two major Sydney stores in 2003 before expanding this feature across Australia in 2005.
Big W has also shown adaptability in its business model, launching its first small-format store in Sydney's Town Hall in 2022. This was followed by the introduction of Big W Market in 2023, an online marketplace that allows third-party businesses to sell their products. The company has also ventured into optometry services, trialling them in selected stores across several states, though these services were eventually discontinued in 2019.
Despite the closure of its optometry departments, Big W continues to innovate and adapt to the changing retail landscape. With 176 stores nationwide, Big W remains a prominent fixture in Australian retail, providing shoppers with a diverse range of products and services. The company's commitment to sustainability, community care, and environmental protection further enhances its reputation as a responsible and forward-thinking retailer.
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Big W Optometry closed in 2019
Big W is a discount department store chain that first opened in Tamworth, Australia, in 1976. The brand was developed by Woolworths Limited to provide Australian shoppers with a wide range of general merchandise products in a one-stop shop.
In 2007, Big W began trialling optometry services in South Australia. Over the years, these services were expanded to selected stores in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory. However, in May 2019, Big W announced the closure of all 41 Big W Optometry stores across Australia, resulting in 175 job losses.
The decision to close the optometry business was part of Woolworths' strategic review, with a focus on building a stronger and more profitable Big W by concentrating on core product categories for their customers. According to Peter Ryan, director of retail consultancy firm Red Communication, the downfall of Big W Optical was due to several factors. These included a failure to establish itself in the low-price high-volume market, poor timing of business launch, and consumer perception that Big W Optical was secondary to the main business.
Following the announcement, Optometry Australia wrote a letter to Insight, expressing their concerns regarding an article published about the closure of Big W Optical. Woolworths assured customers that health records would continue to be retained and could be requested by past and present patients of Big W Optical. The company also provided specialist support resources to affected team members and committed to working with them individually.
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Big W's first small-format store opened in 2022
Big W, an Australian chain of discount department stores, opened its first small-format store in Town Hall, Sydney, in August 2022. The company is a division of the Woolworths Group and, as of 2024, operated 179 stores with around 18,000 employees.
The new small-format store in Sydney marked a significant shift in Big W's retail strategy, following the lead of other major retailers who have successfully adopted smaller-format stores. This strategy allows retailers to expand their reach into untapped markets that may not be suitable for larger stores. Smaller stores also tend to benefit from increased foot traffic and longer customer visits, as seen with Publix-owned Greenwise Market's smaller-format stores in Florida.
Macy's, for example, has seen success with its smaller-format shops, which play an integral role in supporting its omnichannel ecosystem. These smaller stores typically outperform their traditional-sized counterparts and have helped Macy's expand its customer base. Similarly, The Container Store has increased its investment in smaller stores across the US after the successful opening of its first small-format store in Colorado Springs.
Big W's first small-format store in Sydney is part of the company's evolution to remain competitive in the Australian market. The company has made several strategic decisions over the years, such as introducing self-checkouts in 2003, phasing out garden centres in 2023, and launching its first party store in 2014. The small-format store concept allows Big W to optimise its sales productivity, attract new customers, and adapt to changing market demands.
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Garden centres were phased out in 2023
As of 2025, there are 176 Big W stores across Australia. In 2023, the company began phasing out its garden centres, which had been a feature of its stores since 1976. The decision to remove the garden centres was made due to poor sales of live plants, although stores continue to stock gardening equipment and products such as seeds, fertilisers, and herbicides.
Big W stores originally featured garden centres similar to those found in Kmart and Target. Over time, the number of stores with garden centres decreased, until they were only present in a select few locations by the mid-to-late 2000s.
The phasing out of garden centres in 2023 marked a significant change for Big W, as it moved away from offering live plants and focused instead on gardening tools and supplies. This shift reflected the changing preferences of consumers, who increasingly opted for online ordering and purchasing of plants.
In addition to phasing out garden centres, Big W has also made other adjustments to its business model in recent years. For example, in 2022, the company discontinued its in-store photo printing service, citing declining demand and the rise of online photo ordering. While prints can no longer be made in stores, customers can still order them online and collect them in-store.
Big W has also explored new initiatives, such as the launch of its first small-format store in Sydney in 2022 and the introduction of Big W Market in 2023, an online marketplace for third-party businesses. The company has also shown a commitment to sustainability, with an emphasis on reducing waste and improving the sustainability of its own-brand packaging.
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Specsavers offers discounts to Big W customers
Big W is a popular discount department store in Australia, with 176 stores across the country. The stores offer a wide range of general merchandise, including optometry services in selected stores. However, in 2019, Big W announced the closure of all 41 of its optometry stores. As a result, Specsavers has partnered with Big W to ensure that customers can continue to receive eye care services.
Specsavers is offering a welcome deal to all Big W customers as part of this partnership. Big W customers can get 25% off a complete style from the $149 range or higher at any Specsavers location. This deal includes all lens types and options, but it does not include safety eyewear. To take advantage of this offer, customers must first obtain a voucher from the Big W customer service desk, which they can then present at any Specsavers store.
Specsavers is known for offering various discounts and promotions throughout the year. They often have special offers on glasses, lenses, and contact lenses, such as 2-for-1 deals, free lenses, and discounts for specific age groups like students and seniors. These deals are often available on their website or through signing up for their emails. Specsavers also offers free services like eye care trials, aftercare support, and no-cost returns, ensuring that customers can access quality eye care without compromising their budget.
In addition to their regular promotions, Specsavers also hosts seasonal sales, such as Black Friday, Summer Sale, Winter Sale, Boxing Day, and Cyber Monday. These sales events offer significant discounts on eyewear and lenses, making it the perfect time for customers to update their prescription or purchase a new pair of glasses. With their wide range of deals and discounts, Specsavers ensures that Big W customers can access quality eye care and eyewear at affordable prices.
Overall, the partnership between Specsavers and Big W demonstrates a commitment to providing accessible and affordable eye care to Australians. By offering discounts and promotions, Specsavers ensures that customers can maintain their eye health and find the right eyewear to suit their needs and budget. This collaboration ensures continuity of eye care services for Big W customers, showcasing a shared value of prioritising customer well-being and satisfaction.
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Frequently asked questions
There are currently 176 Big W stores across Australia.
Big W provides Australian shoppers with a broad range of general merchandise products, including gardening equipment and products.
No, Big W does not have optometry services. In May 2019, Big W announced the closure of all 41 Big W Optometry stores.
The first Big W discount department store opened in Tamworth in 1976.
The first small-format Big W store was opened in Town Hall, Sydney, in August 2022.
