BIG W Raymond Terrace: Location, Hours, Stock Check & History

There’s something about walking into a BIG W store that still feels familiar — a bit of that old variety‑store charm, but with modern aisles of toys, electronics, and clothes, and for shoppers in Raymond Terrace, the local BIG W at Marketplace Raymond Terrace is a go‑to spot for everything from school supplies to the latest gadget. This guide breaks down exactly where to find it, when it’s open, how to check stock, and a few fun facts about the big red W.

Store Location: 8 Bourke St, Raymond Terrace NSW 2324, Australia ·
Phone Number: (02) 4983 7000 ·
Operating Hours: Open 7 days (verify exact hours on site) ·
Parent Company: Woolworths Group (Australia) ·
Online Marketplace: Available at bigw.com.au

For a quick reference, here are the essential details.

Where is BIG W Raymond Terrace located and what are its opening hours?

Exact address and directions to the store

BIG W Raymond Terrace sits inside the Marketplace Raymond Terrace shopping centre at the corner of Port Stephens Road and Bourke Street. The official address is listed as 8 Bourke Street, Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 (Marketplace Raymond Terrace shopping centre directory). A separate listing on TripAdvisor (visitor review site) confirms the same street location. For anyone using a navigation app, searching “BIG W Raymond Terrace” will drop you at the shopping centre car park.

The store’s phone number is (02) 4983 7000, verified by the centre’s own directory (Marketplace Raymond Terrace).

Weekly trading hours and holiday exceptions

Here’s where it gets tricky. The official shopping centre website says BIG W Raymond Terrace is open 7 days, with Monday‑Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm, Thursday 8:30 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, and Sunday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Marketplace Raymond Terrace). However, other directories — such as OpeningHoursAU — list different Monday hours (10:00 am – 4:00 pm) and Wanderlog suggests Friday closes at 6:00 pm.

This discrepancy means you should verify hours on the day of your visit, especially around public holidays. The store’s phone line remains the most reliable way to confirm (Marketplace Raymond Terrace).

How can I check if an item is in stock at BIG W Raymond Terrace?

1. Go to bigw.com.au.
2. Search for the item you want.
3. Select “Check stock in store” and choose BIG W Raymond Terrace from the list.
4. View the stock status: “In Stock”, “Low Stock”, or “Out of Stock”.
5. Call the store directly at (02) 4983 7000 and ask for the department.
6. Request that staff set aside the item for collection if available.

Using the BIG W website to check local stock

BIG W’s website offers a real‑time stock check feature. Search for the item you want, then choose “Check stock in store” and select BIG W Raymond Terrace from the list. The page will display “In Stock”, “Low Stock”, or “Out of Stock” for that location (BIG W online). This tool draws from the store’s inventory system, so it’s generally accurate for the same day.

If the item shows as low stock, you can use the “Notify Me” feature to receive an email when it’s replenished (BIG W website help section).

Contacting the store directly by phone

Old‑school but effective: call (02) 4983 7000 and ask for the department. Staff can check stock levels and even set aside an item for collection (Localsearch (local business directory)). This method is especially useful for bulky items that might not be accurately tracked online.

How can I track out-of-stock items at BIG W?

BIG W’s website allows you to sign up for “Notify Me” alerts for out-of-stock items. When the item becomes available, you’ll receive an email notification (BIG W online). You can also call the store to ask about expected restock dates for specific products.

What does the W stand for in BIG W and what was it previously called?

Meaning of the ‘W’ in the brand name

The “W” stands for Woolworths — specifically the Woolworths Limited parent company that launched the variety‑store division. In the American market, the now‑defunct Woolworth Co. (originally a five‑and‑dime) is a separate entity that later became Foot Locker (Britannica (historical reference)). Australian and American Woolworths are not related.

Previous names and brand evolution

Before the BIG W name, the chain operated as Woolworths Variety stores, selling general merchandise under the Woolworths brand. In the 1990s, Woolworths Limited rebranded the variety stores as “BIG W” to clearly separate them from the Woolworths supermarket chain (BIG W history overview). The exact year of the rebrand is not pinned down in public sources, but most references place it in the early‑to‑mid 1990s.

The pattern: BIG W’s name evolution is a textbook retail spin‑off — a parent company creating distinct brand identities to avoid confusing shoppers between its grocery and general merchandise offerings.

What products can I buy from BIG W online and how does the marketplace work?

List of main product categories available online

BIG W’s online store covers a wide range: toys, electronics, clothing, homewares, beauty, sporting goods, and seasonal items. The Raymond Terrace store carries most of these categories, though the online catalog is deeper than any single store’s shelf (BIG W online).

You can order online and choose Click & Collect for pickup at the Raymond Terrace store, or have items shipped directly to your home.

Explanation of the BIG W marketplace model

BIG W’s marketplace is a platform where third‑party sellers list their products on the BIG W website. This expands the catalog beyond what BIG W itself stocks — think furniture, specialised toys, or niche electronics. The marketplace is fully integrated into the checkout process, and items can be shipped together with BIG W‑inventoried products (BIG W Marketplace page).

For Raymond Terrace shoppers, marketplace orders can’t be picked up in‑store — they are shipped separately — but the full range of marketplace products is accessible from the same website.

Who is the owner of BIG W and how does its history connect to Woolworths?

Current corporate ownership

BIG W is wholly owned by the Woolworths Group, an Australian retail giant that also runs Woolworths supermarkets, Woolworths Metro, and other brands. The group is headquartered in Sydney and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (BIG W About Us).

Timeline of brand ownership and origin

Woolworths Limited was founded in Sydney in 1924 as a variety store chain (Britannica). It expanded through the mid‑20th century, and in the 1960s‑70s its variety stores were simply called Woolworths. The 1990s rebrand to BIG W created a separate identity for the general merchandise arm. Today, the Raymond Terrace store is one of over 170 BIG W locations across Australia.

Why this matters: The connection to Woolworths Group means BIG W benefits from shared supply chains and logistics — but it also competes for shelf space in the same corporate family as its cousin, Woolworths supermarkets.

Timeline of BIG W and its Australian roots

Key dates in the history of BIG W provide context for its evolution.

The implication: BIG W has evolved from a simple variety store into a multichannel retailer, but its core mission — offering affordable general merchandise — has remained consistent for nearly a century.

Clarity: What we know for sure vs. what’s still uncertain

This comparison clarifies what you can rely on and what needs verification.

Expert quotes and official perspectives

“BIG W is one of the anchor stores at Marketplace Raymond Terrace, providing a wide range of products for local families.”

— Marketplace Raymond Terrace official directory (Marketplace Raymond Terrace)

“The Woolworths Group has a long history in Australian retail, dating back to 1924, and BIG W remains a key part of its portfolio.”

— BIG W corporate page (BIG W About Us)

“The American Woolworth chain, once a five‑and‑dime, is completely separate from the Australian Woolworths Group.”

— Encyclopaedia Britannica (Britannica entry on Woolworth Co.)

The upshot: Multiple authoritative sources confirm BIG W’s ownership, location, and historical roots, but the conflicting operating hours suggest that local shoppers should treat online timetables as indicative rather than guaranteed.

Summary: What this means for Raymond Terrace shoppers

BIG W Raymond Terrace is a well‑established store inside a busy shopping centre, backed by the financial heft of Woolworths Group. Its strength lies in the combination of in‑store browsing and a growing online marketplace that lets you check stock, order from third parties, and pick up purchases locally. The biggest practical headache is the confusing opening hours, which vary across directories — so a quick phone call or a glance at the centre’s website saves time. For the Raymond Terrace shopper, the choice is clear: use the online stock checker before driving, confirm hours if it’s a weekend or holiday, and remember you’re buying from a brand that’s been around in Australia for over a century.

For shoppers familiar with the BIG W Redbank store, this guide covers similar details for the Raymond Terrace location.

Frequently asked questions