Fuck. I just read up on shit bearing the Woolworths name, and wow. - Mind just fucking blown by the lack of originality in the store naming front.

F. W. Woolworth is an American company, which formed Woolworths Group (UK). 

Australian entrepreneurs decided they'd make a supermarket, and was going to call it "Wallworths Bazaar", as a play on words with the UK supermarket chain, then a friend told them to register the company as Woolworths, as a joke to see if it'd get through. And it did, starting Woolworths Group Limited (AU).

Woolworths Holdings Limited (ZA) was founded, because one of the founders of Woolworths (AU), told a South African entrepreneur they should use the name too.

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In 1964, Woolworths (AU) founded a department store,  they called it big W. W standing for  Woolworths. In 1998, Woolworths (UK), decided to make a big supermarket, so called it big W. The W, also standing for Woolworths.

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Other notable related shit.

Target (AU), had nothing to do with Target (US), and was originally named Lindsay's, then Myer bought out Lindsay's, and renamed it to Lindsay's Target (and eventually, Target).

After Myer bought out what is now known as Target (AU), they merged with Coles, and was eventually demerged with Coles. Myer later decided they'd merge with their main competitor - David Jones. But at the last minute, David Jones cancelled the deal, and then got bought out by Woolworths Holdings Limited (ZA).

So Myer, which was once owned by Woolworths Group Limited (AU)'s main competitors (Coles Group). It's main competitor (David Jones), was bought out by another company baring the Woolworths name (ZA), instead of merging with them.