Retail giant Woolworths has left the door open to selling its entire Big W discount department store business but insists its immediate focus will be the closing down of 30 of the ailing chain's outlets.

Woolworths will close 30 Big W stores at a cost of $270 million. Credit:Alamy

Queried by analysts about Woolworths' commitment to Big W, chief executive Brad Banducci said the group would consider a sale although it was not its focus at the moment.

"In terms of ownership I think we've been relatively clear in the last couple of years that we are open to alternatives in regards to Big W, but that isn't where our energy and focus is right now," he said.

"It is delivering a profitable and sustainable business. So we certainly are still open to alternatives, but that isn't where our focus is and certainly not the focus of this announcement. We think any owner would look at and take the same actions as announced."