But while customers and Big W staff across the country wait for final word on which locations will come into the firing line, the focus has now turned to what will become of the stores that do shut their doors.
In a shocking twist, today it was sensationally claimed that the local Big W sites could become medical centres - or even gyms.
Speaking to Channel News, CBR senior manager of retail services Zelman Ainsworth made the bold prediction.
‘I think you will see medical practices and community leisure centres move into those spaces,’ Mr Ainsworth told ChannelNews.com.au.
‘Landlords like them because they bring a lot of foot traffic through. The whole concept of medical service is changing with a focus now on the customer, rather than the medical practitioner, which means better customer service, more comfortable waiting areas and easier access to parking.
‘I think you will find that the shopping centre dynamic is changing for more, higher frequent services that bring constant customers on a daily basis.’
Speaking of Big W’s decision to close, a Woolworths Group spokesperson said: ‘Following an extensive review of the business, we have made the difficult decision to close approximately 30 BIG W stores over the next three years. We have made this decision to create a strong, profitable and more sustainable BIG W that better reflects the rapidly changing retail environment.
‘The majority of our store network is set to remain open and we’re committed to doing the right thing for our team in impacted stores. We will inform our team members, customers and community stakeholders well in advance of changes to specific stores.’
