Woolworths Holdings Ltd.

What Woolworths Holdings Ltd. does

Woolworths Holdings Limited is a Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed retail group (JSE: WHL) headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa, operating across 10+ sub-Saharan African countries, Australia, and New Zealand. The group runs three principal trading businesses: Woolworths South Africa (food, fashion, beauty and home), Country Road Group (Australian apparel and home across Country Road, Witchery, Trenery and Mimco), and Woolworths Financial Services. In FY25 (52 weeks ended 29 June 2025), turnover and concession sales of R81 billion were generated, split 69% Food, 27% Apparel/Beauty/Home, and 4% Financial Services, across 961 Woolworths SA stores, 630 Country Road Group stores, and 100+ Engen Foodstop convenience locations.

The operating platform combines a multi-format physical retail footprint with proprietary omnichannel technology. Woolies Dash provides on-demand same-day grocery delivery from dedicated dark stores (6.6% of Woolworths SA sales, 71% year-on-year growth); the MyDifference loyalty programme, successor to the 20-year-old WRewards, uses data-driven personalisation across 3.5 million Woolworths SA and 2.3 million Country Road Group members; and WBeauty offers augmented-reality try-on experiences. Distribution infrastructure includes the In2food OR Tambo 22,700m² ultra-fresh facility and the Midrand food distribution centre, alongside sustainability-led logistics such as AxlePower refrigeration trailers with DP World and an electric delivery vehicle fleet with DSV and Everlectric.

The business model is direct-to-consumer multi-category retail with associated financial services revenue (credit cards, insurance). Distribution combines owned stores, franchise-style convenience partnerships with Engen, click-and-collect via Pargo, and on-demand delivery via Woolies Dash and Uber Eats. Recent portfolio actions include the April 2024 acquisition of 93.45% of Absolute Pets (pet retail), the announced March 2026 acquisition of in2food (prepared foods, R5+ billion revenue), the 2022 agreement to divest David Jones to Anchorage Capital Partners, and a leadership transition to Sam Ngumeni as Group CEO alongside a July 2026 organisational reset.

Name

Woolworths Holdings Ltd.

Legal name

Woolworths Holdings Limited

Website

https://woolworthsholdings.co.za

Company type

Public

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Woolworths Holdings Limited is a JSE-listed South African retail group operating Woolworths SA food and fashion, Country Road Group apparel in Australia and New Zealand, and Woolworths Financial Services across more than 1,500 stores. It serves consumers in 10+ sub-Saharan African countries and ANZ with omnichannel retail, loyalty, and on-demand delivery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Food Retail: Core retail business offering primarily Woolworths-branded range of high-quality, innovative, and sustainable food products. Contributes 69% of Group turnover and concession sales.
2. Apparel, Beauty and Home Retail: Stylish, high-quality apparel, accessories, footwear, beauty products and homeware under Woolworths and Country Road Group brands. Contributes 27% of Group turnover. Includes third-party brands in selected categories.
3. Financial Services: Woolworths Financial Services offering credit cards and financial products. Contributes 4% of Group turnover.
4. E-commerce and On-demand Delivery: Online shopping platform with same-day delivery (Woolies Dash), contributing 6.6% of Woolworths SA sales and growing 71% year-on-year.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Woolworths Holdings Limited sells Woolworths-branded food, apparel, beauty, homeware and financial products to consumers through a multi-channel retail platform combining 669 Woolworths Food stores and 292 Fashion/Beauty/Home stores in South Africa and 10 other sub-Saharan African countries, 630 Country Road Group stores in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and digital channels including e-commerce, the Woolies Dash on-demand grocery delivery service, and the 100+ Engen Foodstop convenience-store partnership.

Product overview

Woolworths Holdings Limited operates as a multi-brand retail platform comprising distinct business units and sub-brands. The Group's core portfolio includes Woolworths South Africa (food, fashion, beauty and home retail contributing ~69% of R81bn Group revenue), Country Road Group (Australian fashion/home with 630 stores across ANZ and SA, contributing 15%), and Woolworths Financial Services (contributing 4%). Supporting sub-brands include Woolies Dash on-demand delivery, MyDifference loyalty programme, WBeauty cosmetics, Farming for the Future sustainability initiative, Woolworths Foodstop convenience stores, Earth Friendly household products, Woolies Water Fund social programme, and Inclusive Justice Institute. Recent acquisitions include Absolute Pets (pet retail, April 2024) and in2food (prepared foods manufacturing). The company is undergoing leadership transition with Sam Ngumeni appointed as Group CEO.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Woolworths Food Emporium: Premium food retail format featuring cutting-edge innovation and modern design
• Woolies Dash
• MyDifference
• WBeauty
• Earth Friendly
• WCafe
• Woolworths Foodstop

Products and services

• Woolworths South Africa retail (Food, Fashion, Beauty and Home) Woolworths-branded retail offering of premium food, fashion, beauty and homeware sold through 669 Food stores and 292 Fashion/Beauty/Home stores across South Africa and 10 other sub-Saharan African countries; contributes about 69% of group turnover and concession sales of R81 billion (FY25).
• Country Road Group retail (Country Road, Witchery, Trenery, Mimco) Australian-headquartered fashion, footwear, accessories and homeware retail group operating 630 stores across Australia, New Zealand and South Africa under the Country Road, Trenery, Witchery and Mimco brands; includes 2.3 million loyalty members.
• Woolworths Financial Services In-house financial services offering including credit cards, insurance products and banking services exclusively available to Woolworths customers; contributes 4% of group turnover.
• Woolies Dash on-demand grocery delivery Same-day on-demand delivery service for groceries and household essentials fulfilled from dedicated dark stores; 6.6% of Woolworths SA sales and growing 71% year-on-year; expanded with Wynberg dark store in Cape Town Southern Suburbs.
• WBeauty refillable beauty range Woolworths beauty and personal care range featuring vegan formulations, refillable make-up options and augmented-reality virtual try-on for online beauty shopping.
• Woolworths Foodstop convenience retail Woolworths-branded convenience store format operated in partnership with Engen at petrol stations across South Africa, offering food and essentials with extended hours at 100+ locations.
• Earth Friendly household cleaning range Woolworths-branded eco-friendly household cleaning range including toilet drops, all-purpose cleaners and dishwashing liquids, marketed under the Earth Friendly sub-brand.
• Absolute Pets retail (acquired subsidiary) South African pet care retailer and multi-brand pet product retailer operating as a majority-owned (93.45%) Woolworths subsidiary since April 2024.
• in2food prepared foods manufacturing (acquired subsidiary) South African prepared-foods manufacturer that generates over R5 billion annual revenue; became a wholly owned Woolworths subsidiary in March 2026 to strengthen vertical integration in premium food.

Quantifiable outcome

• 71% year-on-year growth in on-demand delivery sales (Woolies Dash)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• In2food HoldingscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2026Woolworths announced acquisition of 100% of shares in in2food, a South African prepared foods manufacturer generating R5+ billion annual revenue, from founders, Old Mutual Private Equity, and other exiting shareholders. Deal subject to regulatory approval. Aims to strengthen Woolworths' premium food offering by bringing key strategic supplier closer to business.
• MaXhosa AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025First-of-its-kind heritage collection collaboration with luxury brand MaXhosa Africa, founded by Laduma Ngxokolo. Brings together two iconic South African brands celebrating culture, creativity, and craftsmanship.
• AMAZIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Social enterprise partnership to empower young black women with skills for economic participation. Launched during 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
• Uber EatscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 March 2025Exclusive partnership for Woolies After Dark late-night delivery from Engen stores. Orders available until midnight via Uber Eats app.
• DP WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 November 2024Africa's first AxlePower refrigeration trailer partnership. Expanded fleet to 16 trailers capturing kinetic energy to power refrigeration units, reducing carbon emissions. Partnership began January 2024.
• FoodForward SAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Partnership extension for additional three years committing R3.45 million to food relief. Six-year partnership with over R6 million contributed (R1 million per year). Addresses food insecurity by donating surplus food to disadvantaged communities and charities.
• Gift of the GiverscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2024R250,000 donation for disaster relief following devastating storms across South Africa. Woolworths' disaster relief partner.
• Absolute PetscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Woolworths completed acquisition of 93.45% stake in Absolute Pets (Pty) Ltd, a South African pet retailer, from Sanlam Private Equity (SPE MID-Market Fund I Partnership) and Absolute Pets management. Effective April 2024 following Competition Tribunal approval. Aims to strengthen Woolworths' position in rapidly growing pet care market.
• Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2023Partnership announced to convene national conversation about identities and belonging. Aims to ignite dialogue around belonging and reimagine how society comes together. Announced at gala event October 2023.
• Six Community-based NGOscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 May 2023Three-year partnership commitment to improve food access and empower local agri-entrepreneurs. Partnership announced on World Hunger Day.
• PargocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 December 2022Logistics partnership for click-and-collect pickup points. Customers can collect Fashion, Beauty and Homeware orders at nearby Pargo locations.
• FlySafairminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 September 2022Travel perks partnership bringing Woolworths products to FlySafair passengers. Summer holiday travel promotion.
• DSV and EverlectriccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2022First SA retailer to deploy extensive EV fleet for online delivery. Partnership with DSV (logistics) and Everlectric (EV technology) in Gauteng, Cape Town, and Durban.
• UNICEF South AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 October 2021Partnership with Department of Basic Education to install handwashing stations in rural schools. Improve access to hygiene facilities for thousands of learners.
• WWF South AfricaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 202115+ year partnership (since 2007) between Woolworths and WWF South Africa, the longest-standing retailer-environmental NGO partnership in South Africa. Phase III announced in 2021 focusing on nature-positive future through sustainability and resilience in business operations and value chains. Partnership addresses water stewardship, sustainable sourcing, and environmental impact reduction.
• INMED South AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood security partnership in Kroonstad area. Woolworths employees volunteer with unemployed youth to enhance food security and income generation.
• ThandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit partnership for food security and community development in Mtwalume community. 10+ years of collaboration.
• WILDLANDScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecycling village partnerships at shopping centres (Watercrest Mall first). Aim to increase South African recycling rates. Multiple villages planned in KZN.
• EngenflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor25+ year partnership for Woolworths Foodstop convenience stores. 100th Foodstop opened at Engen Sandton Convenience Centre. Extended hours and expanded offerings.
• Infinity Culinary TrainingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide 1,000 nutritious meals daily to Cape Town's vulnerable communities during COVID-19. Meals prepared in Woolworths head office kitchen.
• Essay GiftscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise partnership producing circular economy Christmas baubles handcrafted from 13,000+ used plastic water bottles.
• Department of Basic EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple partnerships including school handwashing stations, World School Milk Day celebrations, and Teacher's Day SHERO awards.
• MySchoolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMySchool fundraising programme supporting schools through everyday shopping. R1.7 million+ invested in schools' water security and sanitation.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Woolworths Group Limited (Australia): Australia's largest grocery retailer (Woolies supermarkets, BIG W, ALDI joint venture, Endeavour Group). Despite shared brand heritage, it is a separate listed entity and a much larger broad incumbent; useful benchmark for omnichannel and loyalty capabilities relevant to Country Road Group and the Australian apparel market.
• Loblaw Companies Limited: Canada's largest food retailer, combining President's Choice private-label food with apparel via Joe Fresh. Closest international analogue to Woolworths' hybrid food + apparel + beauty + home mix at scale, including a similarly strong loyalty programme (PC Optimum).

Direct peers

• Coles Group Ltd: Australia's second-largest grocery retailer operating supermarkets and liquor. A direct comparable to the food side of Country Road Group's home market and an operational and omnichannel benchmark given the shared 'Woolworths' brand heritage between WHL and its now-separate Australian namesake.
• The Foschini Group (TFG): Multi-brand South African apparel, jewellery and accessories retailer operating Foschini, @home, Sportscene and Totalsports. Directly comparable to Woolworths SA's fashion/beauty/home segment and a competitor for discretionary spend.
• Pick n Pay Stores Ltd: One of South Africa's largest grocery chains with a similar multi-format store base, private-label offering and growing on-demand delivery (Pick n Pay asap!). Direct food-retail competitor to Woolworths SA and overlapping apparel homeware categories via Boxer and Tekkie Town.
• Mr Price Group Ltd: South African value apparel and homeware retailer with Mr Price, Miladys and Sheet Street banners. Competes with Woolworths' apparel and home categories in the mid-market and overhangs the premium positioning when consumers trade down.
• SPAR Group Ltd: South African grocery and liquor retailer operating through a franchise model with SPAR, Save U, Build it and Pharmacy at SPAR banners. Competes with Woolworths Food across fresh, private label and convenience formats in SA.
• Marks and Spencer Group plc: UK-listed premium food and apparel retailer with a similar quality-led, sustainability-anchored positioning, strong private-label offering and growing loyalty programme. Closest international model to Woolworths SA's combination of premium food (~69%) and apparel, beauty and home (~27%).
• Shoprite Holdings Ltd: South Africa's largest food retailer, operating across supermarkets, furniture and pharmacy formats. Most direct competitive rival to Woolworths Food in the SA grocery market, particularly in fresh and private-label categories, with comparable omnichannel investments.
• Truworths International Ltd: South African apparel-focused retailer with credit-led fashion stores. Comparable to the apparel, beauty and home component of Woolworths' offering and to Country Road Group's customer demographic in higher-income segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Woolworths_SA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/woolworthsSA
• Facebookfacebook.com/WoolworthsSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/woolworths-holdings-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/woolworths_sa
• TikToktiktok.com/@woolworths_sa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Woolworths Holdings Ltd.