The future of Big W is up in the air as owner Woolworths reports another decline in sales at its discount department store chain.

 

Big W sales fell by 1.5 per cent in Q3 compared to the same quarter last year, dipping from just over $1 billion to $986 million. The fall was driven by in-store sales which fell by 2 per cent and offset by online sales, which rose by 4.3 per cent.

 

Big W reported declines in sales of stationery and office, gaming and books.

 

The business is under review and many analysts expect it to be sold in the months ahead, according to a report in the Australian Financial Review.

 

The division has not been solid performer for Woolworths for some time and struggles to compete against Wesfarmers-backed Kmart and its popular Anko brand.

 

Big W’s total store network remained unchanged at 179 during the quarter.

 

Big W’s total sales slump in Q3 did not affect total group sales, which lifted by 3.2 per cent in the third quarter to $17.3 billion. Woolworths Group’s main market is food – Woolworths supermarkets – where sales lifted by 3.7 per cent to $13.05 billion.