Woolco was a discount retail chain, founded in 1962, as a division of Woolworth. Woolco stores were Woolworth's response to Kresge's Kmart stores. Kmart, Target, Meijer and Wal-Mart all opened their first stores in 1962.

In 1983 Woolco was closed in the United States. However, the Canadian division remained open until 1994, when it was acquired by Wal-Mart.

Many locations contained Red Grille restaurants, and the food areas sold popcorn, real milkshakes, and other food.