Looks like Woolies might be broken up

Their are some buyers who want to take over Woolworths in its entirety, but it sounds like most bidders are interested in buying up individual locations.

Supermarket groups including Asda and Iceland have said they would be interested in individual stores. Tesco is understood to be interested in up to 20 Woolworths shops. Other retailers such as Poundland, Primark and Wilkinson are also probable contenders to acquire sites.

Deloitte (the administrator of the bankruptcy) says there are some interested in the whole enchilada, but one potential bidder says they see no hope for such a deal:

Iceland chief executive Malcolm Walker, who looked into buying Woolworths earlier this year, has cancelled himself out of the race for the retailer. "To run Woolies as Woolies, which is what we wanted to do, is now a lost opportunity," he said.