Woolworths Holdings FY25 Results For The 52 Weeks Ended 29 June 2025
HIGHLIGHTS*
*To facilitate year-on-year comparison, this media release focuses on the pro forma 52-week financial information for continuing operations. The Group results are for the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2025, and not directly comparable to the 53 weeks ended 30 June 2024.
Commenting on the results, WHL Group CEO, Roy Bagattini, said: “This year’s results reflect the continued strength and resilience of our premium Food business, but also the transformation undertaken across our apparel businesses. Following significant investment over the past few years, we have completed the heavy lifting, which now positions each of our businesses to deliver to their true and full potential through our loved and trusted brands.”
GROUP PERFORMANCE
Group turnover and concession sales grew by 6.1% and by 6.8% on a constant currency basis, and by 6.4% and 7.3% in the second half, respectively, notwithstanding the challenging macroeconomic conditions across both geographies, and significant levels of uncertainty arising from global trade relations. Adjusted Earnings Before Interest and Tax (‘aEBIT’) declined by 10.9% to R5.2 billion, while Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation (‘aEBITDA’) decreased by a lesser 3.8% to R8.7 billion, reflecting the impact of investment in our various strategic and growth-enabling initiatives.
As reported in our interim results, the Group successfully disposed of its property in Melbourne, Australia for A$223.5 million, recognising R792 million profit on disposal.
Earnings per share (EPS) were down 1.4%, impacted by impairments to underperforming CRG brands and the one-off sale of the Australian property, with Headline EPS and adjusted diluted Headline EPS declining by 23.9% and 19.2%, respectively.
WOOLWORTHS
Woolworths South Africa delivered a strong performance in the face of ongoing macroeconomic pressures. Notwithstanding subdued consumer sentiment and constrained discretionary spend, the business achieved strong turnover and concession sales growth of 9.4% for the full year, and 9.8% in the second half. This supported adjusted EBITDA growth of 6.8% for the full year, and 10.9% growth in the second half.
WOOLWORTHS FOOD
Woolworths Food once again delivered above-market performance, reinforcing its position as South Africa’s most trusted food retailer. Turnover and concession sales grew by 11.0% for the year, with sector-leading growth of 7.7% on a comparable-store basis. Excluding the Absolute Pets acquisition, Food sales grew by 9.2%, highlighting continued strong momentum in the core business. Positive underlying volume growth was driven by increased footfall and larger basket sizes, supported by a strong innovation pipeline and enhanced customer experience.
Woolies Dash, the Group’s on-demand platform, achieved sales growth of 41.6% for the period. Overall online channels continued their rapid expansion, with online Food sales growing 32.9% and contributing 6.6% to total Food sales.
Gross profit margin expanded by 20 basis points to 24.9%, underpinned by effective promotions, volume benefits and supply chain efficiencies, which more than offset the impact of a growing online channel and ongoing investment in the customer proposition. aEBITDA increased by 11.6% to R4.7 billion, while aEBIT grew 7.4% to R3.6 billion, delivering an aEBIT of 6.9% for the full year, and 7.0% in the second half. Return on Capital Employed remains the highest in the sector at north of 40%.
WOOLWORTHS FASHION, BEAUTY AND HOME (‘FBH’)
In Fashion, Beauty, and Home, turnover and concession sales increased by 4.7% for the period, with comparable store sales up 5.1% and full-price sales exceeding 80% of total sales. Trading momentum improved throughout the period, delivering sales growth of 7.0% in the second half, through improved product availability, as product flow challenges experienced in the first half were resolved.
The Beauty business continues to gain market share, delivering excellent growth of 14.7% over the period, and reaffirming Woolworths’ position as the Beauty shopping destination in South Africa.
Online sales increased by 22.8% and contributed 6.6% to total FBH sales, supported by enhancements in digital platforms and customer experience.
Increased promotional activity, additional supply chain costs associated with the transformation of the Distribution Centre, and higher levels of inventory, coupled with the margin-dilutive impact of a growth Beauty contribution, resulted in gross profit margin declining by 120 basis points to 47.3%. For the year, aEBITDA declined marginally by 0.4% to R2.5 billion, whilst aEBIT contracted by 9.1% to R1.6 billion, resulting in an aEBIT margin of 10.4%. That said, improved momentum in the second half resulted in positive profit growth, with aEBIT and aEBITDA up 0.5% and 7.6%, respectively.
WOOLWORTHS VENTURES
Woolworths Ventures – the Group’s newly launched strategic growth accelerator which houses the Food Services, WCellar, Pet and WEdit businesses – delivered a very strong maiden result, with mid-teens sales growth and aEBIT growth of over 20%, notwithstanding the increased investment in both scale and innovation. This construct includes the Group’s acquisition of Absolute Pets, which continues to trade ahead of expectations – testament to the Group’s ability to make margin and earnings accretive acquisitions.
WOOLWORTHS FINANCIAL SERVICES (‘WFS’)Woolworths Financial Services delivered a strong result. The WFS book decreased by 2.7% on a year-on-year basis to the end of June 2025 and increased by 0.5% when excluding the sale of part of the legal book of R1.6 billion. Disciplined focus on quality growth resulted in additional credit of R1.9 billion granted in the second half, driven by both new accounts and credit limit increases on existing accounts. The impairment rate improved to 6.1%, compared to 7.0% in the prior year, and remains sector-leading. This performance highlights WFS’s continued prudent credit management, and the important role it plays in supporting customer loyalty and retention.
COUNTRY ROAD GROUP (‘CRG’)
Following its successful separation from David Jones, CRG completed a significant restructure during the year to reconfigure its operating model and reset its structural economics as a standalone business. This was undertaken in an accelerated timeframe and within a particularly unconducive macro backdrop. As a result of these factors, sales declined 5.4% for the year and 6.8% on a comparable store basis.
Gross profit margin declined by 390 basis points to 56.4% due to the high promotional activity dominating the sector and the weaker Australian dollar inflating input costs. Whilst expenses were well-controlled, the impact of the aforementioned factors amplified the degree of negative operational leverage during the period, resulting in aEBITDA declining by 41.1% to A$103.9 million.
OUTLOOK
Looking ahead, whilst inflation has eased and interest rates have begun to moderate, business and consumer confidence remains subdued in both geographies, with discretionary spend likely to remain constrained for the foreseeable future. Global uncertainty regarding the potential impact of higher US tariffs also presents additional headwinds to the macroeconomic outlook. Notwithstanding these factors, the Group is well positioned to benefit from its clear strategies, growing customer base, strengthened brands and foundational capabilities, and the investments made in new avenues of growth.
After months of eager anticipation, Woolworths Tygervalley in Cape Town, has officially reopened its doors following an extensive renovation, unveiling the brand’s next generation store format, now officially open to the public!
Tygervalley is the first full-line store – integrating Food, Fashion, Beauty and Home – that expresses the Woolies next generation store concept, but for the brand, this is just the beginning. The new store concept is designed to evolve and is a signal for where the business and brand is heading – reimagining the future of retail through the customers’ eyes and guided by what Woolies shoppers value most.
Woolworths Tygervalley’s relaunch follows closely on the heels of the brand’s recently introduced Food Emporium in Durbanville and forms a key part of the retailer’s strategy to roll out stores that deliver elevated, personalised experiences, designed to set Woolworths apart in an increasingly competitive retail landscape.
“This isn’t just a new store – this is a look at the future of Woolies,” says Manie Maritz, CEO of Woolworths Fashion, Beauty and Home. “It’s a living, breathing expression of what we stand for – innovation, premium service, exceptional quality, and sustainability. And we’ve brought it to life in a way that is distinctly Woolies.”
With premium design at its core, the Tygervalley concept store marks a major milestone in Woolworths’ commitment to redefining how South Africans shop, offering customers the following enhanced and personalised experiences:
Maritz went on to say that the store has been designed around the brand’s customer-first philosophy: a space where every department tells a story, where every product is carefully curated, and where every experience feels personalised and premium. “In recent years, we’ve a seen a shift – our customers want more than great products, they want meaningful experiences. They want stores that reflect their needs and values, simplify their lives, and offer a sense of discovery.”
Woolworths’ pursuit of innovation extends to the considerable sustainability enhancements made during the refurbishment process and is its greenest full-line store to date. Most of the shop fittings use responsibly sourced timber and locally produced boards, with materials thoughtfully selected for their ability to be repurposed or recycled at the end of their lifecycle. The space stands as a reflection of the Woolworths Good Business Journey, and the brand’s unwavering commitment to building a better, more sustainable future for the communities it serves.
Customers are invited to visit the newly reopened Woolworths at Tygervalley Shopping Centre and experience first-hand the new benchmark in modern and purpose-led retail.
Woolworths has been named among the top three brands most likely to be recommended by South Africans, according to insights agency KLA. The ranking is a powerful indicator of trust in the Woolies brand, and a reflection of the strength of the company’s reputation among shoppers.
The Top 5 Most Recommended Brands in SA for 2025:
KLA, YouGov and BrandIndex drew data over a twelve-month period from current customers, asking respondents, Which brands would you recommend to a friend or colleague? Each day over 560 interviews were conducted, revealing customer attitudes and perceptions towards the brands they shop regularly.
Over 85% of Woolies shoppers confirmed they would recommend Woolworths Food, Woolworths Clothing or Woolworths Home – reflecting decades of dedication to creating experiences, products and service worth sharing.
“Each and every day, our team strives to deliver exceptional quality products and a level of service that surpasses our customers’ expectations,” said Spencer Sonn, Chief Customer Officer at Woolworths. “To receive recommendations and personal endorsements from our customers is incredibly humbling. There is always more for us to do and rankings like this show us we’re on the right path. We deeply appreciate every valued shopper who recommends Woolworths in their community.”
These rankings come after Woolworths was named one of the Most Admired South African Brands by Brand Africa in 2025, and among the World’s Most Trustworthy Companies by Newsweek in 2024.
Woolworths has announced a first-of-its-kind benefits package designed to change the lives of thousands of its employees.
In addition to the range of benefits already available to them, as of July this year, over 24 000 Woolworths employees have access to health insurance for the first time. The company is the first in the retail sector to step forward with a tailor-made, comprehensive benefits offering of this scale.
Thousands of Woolworths frontline employees in the retailer’s stores and distribution centres now have access to private, day-to-day medical care, including general practitioners, dentists, optometrists, and acute and chronic medication. In addition, the company has brought together healthcare and wellness support in a more integrated and accessible way which will be facilitated through the Momentum Health4Me Gold programme. The offering also brings together healthcare, risk cover, and wellness support into an integrated, digital platform which is designed to provide meaningful support, and peace of mind for its people.
Momentum, Woolworths’ partner in the initiative, applauded the programme. “This initiative is true game changer for the industry. This partnership exemplifies Woolworths’ commitment to making a real difference in the lives of South Africans by providing access to affordable, quality healthcare services, death, disability, and funeral benefits,” said Rigitte van Zyl the Executive for Group Insurance and Damian McHugh the Head of Marketing and Growth at Momentum.
“This has been two years in the making, shaped by care, collaboration, and deep listening,” says Melanie Naidu, Woolworths Group People Director. “It’s more than just a benefit, it’s a reflection of our promise to invest in our people’s wellbeing, dignity, and quality of life.”
“Our people are the heart of everything we do, and the reason we consistently deliver the Woolies difference for our customers. This investment is a reflection of our deeply held belief that caring for our people is fundamental to the long-term sustainability of our business.”
This latest milestone builds on Woolworths’ Just Wage Initiative – a R120 million investment that increased the pay of frontline employees, and is part of the Group’s long-term commitment to social justice through its Inclusive Justice Initiative. It reflects a broader ambition to enable what Woolworths calls a Just Life, where the organisation’s employees not only have access to a just wage, but also to essential benefits, and the dignity of living and working with purpose and support. Today, the Woolworths minimum hourly rate of R45 is 20% above the retail sector legislated minimum and more than 56% higher than the national minimum wage.
Naidu noted that Woolworths’ continued investment in its people has been recognised by the Top Employers Institute, an international authority that acknowledges excellence in people practices. “As a business, we are committed to creating experiences that inspire, and that begins with how we show up for our people. This moment is not just a milestone – it’s a reflection of who we are and the future we’re building together.”
// ENDS //
Woolworths and Engen are marking a major milestone in their long-standing partnership with the launch of the 100th Woolworths Foodstop, now open at the Engen Sandton Convenience Centre on Katherine Street in Johannesburg.
This isn’t just another store opening – it’s a celebration of more than 25 years of collaboration between two homegrown brands that have transformed the way South Africans shop on the go.
From humble beginnings to a national footprint, Woolworths Foodstops have become a go-to for busy customers needing top-up groceries, quality meals, or a quick treat. And now, with 100 stores across the country, this partnership has truly redefined what forecourt convenience can look like. The Woolworths Foodstops are about adding quality to the lives of more people, reaching new customers and creating fresh opportunities to grow the Woolworths footprint.
Built on Trust, Driven by Quality The Woolies and Engen partnership has always been about one thing: making life easier for South Africans without compromising on quality. Whether it’s fresh produce, pantry essentials or your favourite ready-to-eat meal, Woolworths Foodstops deliver the same exceptional standards you’d find in-store, all while keeping the cold chain intact.
“This milestone shows what’s possible when two brands with a shared purpose come together,” says Evangelos Morris, Head of Foodstops at Woolworths. “100 Foodstops means 100 neighbourhoods with easier access to Woolies quality, 100 dedicated teams delivering excellent service, and 100 reminders that innovation is at the heart of what we do.”
Serving South Africans, Wherever They Are As more people look for smart, time-saving ways to shop, the demand for trusted, on-the-go convenience has never been greater. From Sandton to Cape Town, to KZN, Woolworths Foodstops are showing up where it matters, right on your route.
And there’s more to come. This 100-store celebration is just the beginning. As the partnership continues to grow, Woolies and Engen are committed to bringing even more South Africans access to the quality and convenience they’ve come to know and love.
Pop into the brand-new 100th Woolworths Foodstop at Engen Sandton Convenience Centre and see why this partnership is still leading the way in South African retail.
Ushering in the new gold standard for premium food retail, Woolworths has officially reopened its store at The Village Square in Durbanville.
Months of anticipation culminated in the reimagined Food Emporium opening its doors to reveal cutting-edge innovation, sleek modern design, and the embodiment of thoughtful, customer-led convenience.
“This new Food Emporium is a real step change for us,” says Group CEO, Roy Bagattini. “It embodies what Woolies stands for – quality without compromise, innovation with purpose, and the conviction that doing things right is always worth it.”
“Durbanville isn’t just another Woolies flagship. It’s a clear signal of our intent – we’re not standing still. We are here to affirm our leadership in food retailing – doing so with heart, being bold, raising the bar, and redefining the future of food shopping in a way that truly reflects who we are, and what we believe in.”
The store is an exciting step into a new era for food retail, and signals Woolworths’ intention to redefine grocery shopping in South Africa, and deliver a best-in-class experience for its customers.
Visitors to the new Durbanville Food Emporium can look forward to:
“Nothing in the new Woolworths Food Emporium is by chance,” says Sam Ngumeni, CEO of Woolworths Foods. “Every decision and every detail has been shaped by a single focus – to deliver a spectacular customer experience. In reimagining our store, we placed our customer at the centre of every decision. From design to product selection, the store reflects our ambition to offer an inspiring, seamless and sustainable food shopping experience, one that’s proudly local and forward-thinking.”
“The store is led by passionate Woolies staff and specialists, all of whom are committed to supporting and connecting with customers during their every visit, making each trip to The Village Square not just satisfying, but joyful. We’re constantly asking how we can better serve our customers, and our new store sets a strong benchmark for what this future looks like.”
In line with Woolworths’ Good Business Journey, the upgraded store incorporates energy-efficient technology, waste reduction systems, and recyclable packaging across departments, reinforcing the brand’s vision to become one of the world’s most responsible retailers.
Woolworths Durbanville Food Emporium is now open, and customers are invited to visit the new store and experience the future of food, deliciously reimagined.
Woolworths’ Earth Friendly range of cleaning products has long been a favourite among South African consumers. Videos praising the Earth Friendly Toilet Drops have racked up over a million views on TikTok alone!
Now, the retailer is relaunching the range, anchored in quality and innovation, featuring lower prices, eye-catching packaging, and even stronger sustainability measures.
“When it comes to cleaning and laundry products, the first priority for consumers is typically cost and efficacy, with sustainability criteria as an added bonus,” shares Rahim Hoosen, Woolworths Foods Commercial Head of Trade. “At Woolies however, we set out to ensure our customers don’t have to compromise on any of these elements. Our refreshed Earth Friendly range offers value for money, effectiveness and impressive sustainability credentials, with a minimum of 80% of ingredients used in the Earth Friendly range being naturally derived and no harmful chemicals added,” he explains.
In a challenging economic landscape, Woolworths has eased the burden on consumers by shifting all production of the liquid components of the Earth Friendly range to a local manufacturer, boosting sustainability credentials (reduced carbon footprint) and, importantly, uplifting local business while achieving lower on-shelf pricing.
Here’s what else consumers can look forward to in the refreshed Earth Friendly range:
“These strategic shifts reaffirm Woolworths’ commitment to developing innovative products that are not only great for people, but kinder for the planet too. It’s these details that make the Woolies difference,” Hoosen concludes.
Shop Woolworths’ refreshed Earth Friendly range at over 200 stores nationwide, or online at www.woolworths.co.za.
Woolies is looking for the next big name in fashion, beauty, food or homeware!
Whether you’re a jeweller, scented candle maker, fashion designer, or something in-between, and you’re building a business that makes something fresh, useful or beautiful — Woolies wants to hear from you.
Woolworths is proud to relaunch its Youth MakersTM competition — a nationwide search for passionate, young entrepreneurs that are ready to take their brand to the next level.
Now in its second season, the initiative invites entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 to ENTER ONLINE for the chance to change their lives.
The prize? Winners will receive once-in-a-lifetime mentorship from Woolies experts, and bespoke leadership guidance, and a whopping R125 000 in grant funding to help each business scale and succeed in the retail world.
Launched during Youth Month 2023, the inaugural Youth MakersTM competition saw 15 standout entrepreneurs receive tailored mentorship, product development support and exposure to real-world retail practices. The results were astounding, winners remarked on the valuable insights and support they receive from their mentors, on ongoing engagement and orders from customers, and a boost to their business profiles as a result of Woolies exposure.
This year, Woolworths is once again calling on youth-led businesses to take the next step on their journey. Whether you’re making by hand, or building a brand, the Youth MakersTM competition offers young entrepreneurs the chance to learn directly from the businesses’ ninety-plus years of retail experience. ENTER before 8 August 2025!
Follow Woolworths on social media to keep up to date with Youth MakersTM.
Instagram: @woolworths_sa
Facebook: WoolworthsSA
Twitter/X: @WOOLWORTHS_SA
Find the terms and conditions online.
Woolworths has announced the launch of its Inclusive Justice Institute designed to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and community impact programmes. The Institute has been set up to enable Woolworths’ social justice commitments, and was launched at an event in Cape Town on Wednesday night where accumulatively R300 million was committed to the Institute.
“Our purpose as a business has always been to add quality to life — not only for our customers but also in the communities where we operate,” said Group CEO Roy Bagattini. “The launch of our Inclusive Justice Institute aligns with our vision to be one of the world’s most responsible retailers. It underscores our deep commitment to addressing social justice in a meaningful way.”
The Institute will be home to two non-profit companies, the Enterprise Inclusive Justice Institute (EIJI) and the Community Inclusive Justice Institute (CIJI).
The CIJI, will drive Woolworths’ social impact programmes that address food security, and contribute to quality basic education, with the goal of driving community resilience and economic inclusion. The EIJI, will drive Woolworths’ MSME development programme, ensuring that small businesses continue to receive mentorship and financial support to grow and become sustainable Woolworths suppliers.
Speaking at the launch event, Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni, said, “The Woolworths Inclusive Justice Institute points us in the right direction. It’s a practical demonstration of how a leading retailer may empower small enterprises. A vision like this resonates with everything we stand for and [Woolworths] has a partner in us.”
Woolworths’ Corporate Social Justice Director, Zinzi Mgolodela, said that the establishment of the Institute enables Woolworths to expand and strengthen the good work already being done by the business. “Our support for MSMEs has helped stimulate economic growth by empowering beneficiaries to create jobs and expand their businesses. Through our NGO partnerships, we support rural and semi-urban communities to grow food and become self-sufficient, and our education initiatives have improved learning in under-resourced schools and promoted child safety, giving children the opportunity to thrive in safe, supportive environments.”
The new capital investment includes R200 million from Woolworths and R100 million from The Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank). Commenting on the partnership, Themba Rikhotso, CEO of Land Bank, said, “Our partnership with Woolworths and the Inclusive Justice Institute represents a shared commitment to transforming South Africa’s agricultural landscape. By investing R100 million in emerging farmers, we are not only enabling access to affordable capital, but also helping build a more inclusive, sustainable food system. This initiative aligns directly with Land Bank’s mission of empowering previously disadvantaged communities, and to increase the inclusion of emerging farmers in the commercial agricultural sector, thereby enhancing the country’s long-term food security.”
The Institute will build on Woolworths’ ongoing social justice efforts. In the last financial year:
Because the new Institute allows for outside investment, Woolworths has created an engine room for sustainable impact and inclusive growth at scale. Like-minded stakeholders are invited to partner with, or invest in, the Inclusive Justice Institute – joining forces to ignite meaningful change in South Africa.
Woolworths is proud to reaffirm its commitment to sustainable and conscious living through its continued partnership with The Good Life Show —the country’s leading event dedicated to natural, plant-based, organic and healthy lifestyle choices. Held in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, the show has become South Africa’s premier platform for wellness-focused living.
Under the leadership of Marisa Munroe, Chief Product Development Officer for Foods at Woolworths, this year the brand is taking its sponsorship of The Good Life Show to the next level — evolving from retail partner to a total wellbeing destination. Attendees will get an exclusive view of Woolworths’ refreshed, year-round offering designed to support modern nutritional, lifestyle and dietary needs for every home.
The return of the Eat Well logo
“Woolworths aligns strongly to the conscious and holistic eating principles promoted by The Good Life Show, and we’re proud to announce the relaunch of our Eat Well logo, which will be featured at the event,” says Munroe. “The Eat Well logo will appear on items that adhere to strict science-based nutritional criteria that support the South African food-based dietary guidelines, with the ultimate goal of guiding customers to make better food choices.”
She shares that the refreshed Eat Well logo will span categories including freshly prepared meals and salads, fresh fruits and vegetables, a wide variety of protein options like skinless poultry, ostrich, seafood, snacking options like nuts, seeds, dried fruit and everyday pantry staples.
“With a dedicated Eat Well logo on all qualifying product packaging, customers can trust that better choices are now easier, more delicious and always within reach,” Munroe adds.
A holistic basket, 365 days a year
As in previous years, the 2025 edition of The Good Life Show will provide a comprehensive platform for information sharing, featuring live cooking demonstrations at the Woolworths Good Life Show Kitchen, in addition to expert guidance on new and innovative product choices designed to fit a conscious and holistic lifestyle.
“Our participation in the show aims to reinforce Woolworths’ position as a market leader in responsible food choices that are better for people, planet and animals – reminding attendees that eating well can taste as good as it feels,” says Munroe.
And while The Good Life Show takes place only once a year in Cape Town and Johannesburg, respectively, Woolworths’ food development philosophy is year-round, reflecting a deep commitment to mindful nourishment, convenience and quality.
Munroe believes that when it comes to grocery shopping, it’s not just about what’s new – it’s about creating a complete, everyday basket that helps customers live better.
“As the definition of wellness evolves, we’re consistently innovating to help South Africans make better choices for themselves, their families and the planet. At Woolworths, you’ll find more than just a quick fix to sate your hunger, you’ll find food that supports your goals, your values and your lifestyle all year round,” she concludes.
Cape Town
Friday, May 30, to Sunday, June 1 – Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC 2)
Johannesburg
Friday, August 1, to Sunday, August 3 – Kyalami International Convention Centre (KICC)
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