The Buyers' work on identifying suppliers and products came in handy. As events unfolded they were soon forced to return to buy a further selection in anticipation of the coronation of King Edward VIII, and another for the coronation of King George VI, all in under two years. For each event the firm kept prices artificially low on some special items to emphasize Woolworths' exceptional value for money and market-leading position as the country's biggest retailer.

The King and Queen's Jubilee won the hearts of the nation. Woolworth stores sold a million copies of a special Jubilee Record (playing in the background and featured above, right) to mark the event. By special arrangement with Buckingham Palace it featured the Band of H.M. Irish Guards. The producers, the Crystallate Gramophone Record Company, hired exceptionally well-spoken local schoolchildren in Tonbridge, Kent to sing the vocals. Our Virtual Museum downloads are sixpence cheaper than the original - why not have a listen or right click and download the songs for later?

Please note that these pages include embedded sounds of approx. 1 megabyte. They also include an option to save a copy of the track in AIF format, requiring another megabyte of bandwidth:

Eclipse SC157A Let Us Sing Unto Their Majesties or Eclipse SC157B Song of the Empire.

Unlike the Silver Jubilee, the death of H.M. King George V came as a surprise. As soon as the funeral was over, the Woolworths buyers moved into overdrive. They had a new King, a new era and a coronation to plan for. Mugs, plates, books and bunting were all on the shopping list. The Buyers knew that the people had great respect for the new King, who had won over hearts and minds through his diplomatic missions and walkabouts across the United Kingdom while Prince of Wales. They believed that demand for Edward VIII mementoes would be high.

Betty Young was commissioned to write a profile of the new King for the Woolworth staff magazine "The New Bond" (illustrated right). Her article highlights Edward's many strengths and skills, and speculates that the date for the Coronation would be set for the Spring of 1937. With eery foresight Young described him as 'the most eligible bachelor in the Empire' and 'quite a catch'.

But events unfolded differently and true love stepped between the King and his Empire. Politicians would not countenance a marraige to the American divorcée Wallace Simpson, and forced him to choose. None expected that he would prefer Abidication

So it was that the King gave up his throne and Woolworhs destroyed thousands upon thousands of souvenirs and collectables.

Many of the Edward VIII products never left the factories. Instead they were dismantled and reworked, after Woolworth promised the same factories even larger orders for the new coronation. A few Edward VIII lines were exported to the USA and sold cheaply in the Five-and-Ten. Today these rarities are highly collectable.

Among the products offered were cut-glass plates, similar to the ones sold for H.M. King George V's Jubilee, which were stocked in depth. To meet demand two suppliers produced slightly different versions. Stores set up window displays featuring tiny model Grenadier Guards from Brittens, marching along a road lined with Coronation Mugs. The 'crowning glory' of the display was a 'gold' model of the state landau with eight horsemen in red tunics, which was offered for sixpence.

The firm accepted a small loss on the items featured in the window, but made their money back many times over on sales of flags, bunting, windmills, rattles, picnicware and tinned peaches.

On Coronation Day, 12 May, 1937 stores were decked with flags, bunting and pictures of the new King and Queen. Many colleagues wore buttonholes and enjoyed a good sing-song in-store, with the gramophone in constant use.

In the restaurant there was a commemorative menu. Customers encouraged to keep a copy as a memento. Click here for a closer look at the menu.

At the time Mock Turtle soup was 3^D (1.25p), Roast Beef and Gravy was 6^D and a full three course meal with a cup of tea could be obtained with change from half a crown (12½p).

The New Bond Staff Magazine for May 1937 included this "Loyal Greetings" double-page.
For many colleagues this was the first time they had seen a feature about King George VI.
As the Duke of York, "Prince Bertie" had largely stayed out of the limelight.
After his accession he was constantly in the spotlight.

(L to R: H.M. King George VI in a kilt, family group with the King, Their Royal Highnesses Princess Elizabeth (H. M. The Queen today), and Princess Margaret Rose and H. M. Queen Elizabeth (latterly known as the Queen Mother), two sporting pictures of H.M. King George VI playing polo and bowling in a game of cricket and Queen Elizabeth in a gown and hat).