Valentine’s Day has evolved in recent years. While once centred on purely romantic love, it’s now a day to celebrate all the people who matter most, to appreciate the expression of all kinds of love, and to recognise the importance of self-love.
For Woolworths, it’s always been about the details that make the difference in defining moments. It’s about being present and embracing everyday joys and thoughtful gestures, So, whether it’s the perfect cut of a garment, the luxurious texture of a skincare product, or the culinary artistry that defines their food, Woolworths’ commitment to quality and detail extends to every aspect of this year’s Valentine’s Day range.
Say yes to the little things this Valentine’s Day. Allow Woolworths to elevate your experience, creating lasting memories as unique and special as the love you display, with a gift for every type of love and a treat for every taste.
Woolworths is recalling four variations of the Country Road Two-Tone DEMM Mug with immediate effect.
This is due to a manufacturing defect having been identified in certain mugs, causing the mug to unexpectedly break when hot liquid is poured into it, resulting in the base separating from the body of the mug. Given our commitment to quality and to avoid any possibility of risk of injury, we are actioning this recall.
Customers who have purchased any of the affected products are invited to please return the item to store for a full refund. Returns of the mugs will be accepted at any Woolworths or Country Road stores, and a receipt is not required.
Please note that only the four colour variations listed below are affected, and the rest of the Demm range remains safe to use.
Exceptional Quality remains the core of our business and we are committed to ensuring that all the items we produce are to the standards our customers expect and trust.
Two-Tone Demm Mug – Saphire
60292978 – 4075
Two-Tone Demm Mug – Bermuda
60292978 – 7689
Two-Tone Demm Mug – Lilac
60292978 – 569
Two-Tone Demm Mug – Dark Olive
60292978 – 185
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For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
Woolworths Press Office on pressoffice@woolworths.co.za
Woolworths delivers double-digit profit growth in SA, in tough macro-economic environment
Woolworths Holdings Limited (WHL) delivered a resilient result, notwithstanding the challenging macro environment and a high prior-year base.
HIGHLIGHTS
Commenting on the performance and future of the business, WHL Group CEO, Roy Bagattini said: “Our results have again highlighted the benefit of our diversified group, the strength of our brands, and the passion and commitment of our dedicated teams.
I firmly believe that we have proven ourselves to be a resilient organisation, focused on formulating clear strategies and executing against them, to deliver more for our customers, and more to our shareholders.” <click to watch video>
Performance for the period was impacted by an increasingly challenging macro-economic backdrop, given the sustained effect of interest rate increases and higher living costs. This negatively impacted footfall and discretionary spend in both geographies. In South Africa, business operations were further disrupted by almost-daily loadshedding, congestion at the ports, and the impact of Avian flu on the availability of key food product lines.
WOOLWORTHS
The economic environment in South Africa remains challenging, exacerbated by the country’s energy and logistics crises, which continue to impact both business and consumer confidence. Notwithstanding the challenging context, Woolworths South Africa delivered a very credible result, recording double-digit profit growth.
WOOLWORTHS FOOD
Woolworths Food delivered solid growth, underpinned by the highest like-for-like sales growth in the sector, and re-enforcing its strength and resilience. Turnover and concession sales grew by 8.4% and by 7.2% on a comparable store basis, notwithstanding the impact of increased levels of loadshedding and the Avian flu. Underlying product inflation for the period averaged 9.1%, being below headline food inflation as we continue to invest in price. Sales grew by 8.6% in the last six weeks of the period, delivering positive volume growth as product inflation eased to 7.9%. Space grew by 3.3% over the prior period, while online sales increased by 46.6%, contributing 5.1% of South African sales, driven primarily by increased coverage of our on-demand Woolies Dash offering.
Gross profit margin increased by 80bps to 24.6%, through more targeted and effective promotions, as well as value chain efficiencies. This more than offset the impact of the high growth of the online channel, and the ongoing investment in price. Adjusted operating profit grew by 13.0% to R1 595 million, returning an operating profit margin of 7.0% for the current period, compared to 6.7% in the prior period. Adjusting for the impact of loadshedding, operating profit grew by 13.2%, returning an operating margin of 7.3%.
WOOLWORTHS FASHION, BEAUTY AND HOME (‘FBH’)Fashion Beauty and Home continues to make steady progress against its strategic priorities. Sales for the period were however impacted by poor availability, due in part to the late arrival of various summer ranges arising from congestion at the ports. Turnover and concession sales grew by 2.2%, with comparable store sales increasing by 1.5%. Sales growth in the last six weeks of the period improved to 3.8%, supported by the successful execution of our Black Friday promotions and festive season trade. Our teams remain focused on full-price sales, which positively impacted price movement of 11.4%. Net trading space increased by 0.3% relative to the prior period, while online sales grew by 26.9% and contributed 5.4% of South African sales.
Notwithstanding negative mix effects and inflationary supply chain costs, gross profit margin was maintained at 48.0%, given the continued focus and further improvement in full-price sales and markdown metrics. Adjusted operating profit decreased by 5.3% to R927 million, resulting in an operating margin of 12.2% for the current period, compared to 13.1% in the prior period. Adjusting for the impact of loadshedding, operating profit declined by 4.3%, with an operating margin of 12.6%.
WOOLWORTHS FINANCIAL SERVICES (‘WFS’)The WFS book reflects a year-on-year increase of 4.9% to the end of December 2023, driven by growth in new accounts and credit card advances. The annualised impairment rate for the six months ended 31 December 2023 was 6.3%, compared to 5.5% in the prior period, and remains the healthiest in the sector.
COUNTRY ROAD GROUP (‘CRG’)
Trading conditions in Australia and New Zealand have deteriorated further, with consumer sentiment in Australia at near-record lows, and household savings the weakest since the Global Financial Crisis. In addition, the retail industry has been disproportionately impacted by the shift in spending away from goods to services. CRG sales for the current period declined by 5.0% and by 9.5% in comparable stores, off a high prior period base in which sales grew by 25.5% following the strong recovery from the Covid-impacted lockdowns. Sales growth in the last six weeks of the period was positive, at 1.3%. The Country Road brand continues to deliver a market-leading performance across key categories. Overall trading space increased by 6.6% during the period, supported by the ongoing expansion of our wholesale and concession channels. The contribution from online sales increased marginally to 26.8% of total sales.
Higher promotional activity to reduce inventory levels and the impact of a weaker Australian Dollar on input costs resulted in a 140bps decrease in the gross profit margin to 62.1%. Expenses were well controlled, increasing by 6.4%, notwithstanding the increased trading space. Given the impact of negative operational leverage arising from the softer top-line performance, adjusted operating profit decreased by 46.1% to A$50.2 million, returning an operating profit margin of 8.5%, compared to 15.0% in the prior period.
OUTLOOK
The outlook for the rest of the financial year is expected to remain challenging. Whilst inflation is expected to ease gradually, interest rates across both geographies are likely to remain elevated, placing continued pressure on consumer disposable income. In South Africa, the ongoing energy crisis, port and infrastructure challenges are expected to further constrain economic activity. In addition, the upcoming elections and ongoing global geopolitical tensions increase uncertainty. Notwithstanding this challenging macro backdrop, we remain confident in our ability to deliver against our strategies, and are well placed to benefit from any cyclical consumer recovery. We have a robust balance sheet, are highly cash generative, and are leveraging our strengthened foundation to optimise our existing businesses and invest in new sources of future growth.
ENDS
For media enquiries contact:
WHL Press Office
+27 82 782 3856
pressoffice@woolworths.co.za
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Woolworths Holdings Limited (WHL) is listed on the JSE Limited Securities Exchange (JSE) with operations across the southern hemisphere. The Group’s vision is to be one of the world’s most responsible retailers, which reflects the organisation’s passionate commitment to doing good business for our customers, our people and our planet. See more information here.
The Group consists of two major operating divisions:
Sustainability is core to our business and is put into action through our Good Business Journey programme which enables a consistent approach to managing sustainability issues across the Group. The programme focuses on eight focus areas: people, social development, health and wellness, sustainable farming, ethical sourcing, packaging and waste, water and energy and climate change. See more information here.
Woolworths Financial Services (WFS) is a joint venture between Woolworths and Absa Group Limited, with Absa Group Limited owning 50% + 1 share.
Woolworths is recalling Peanut Butter Dairy Ice Cream with immediate effect. Only our peanut butter ice cream is being recalled. All other Woolworths products containing peanut butter, including our range of Peanut Butter, remains 100% safe for consumption.
Earlier this month, some South African peanut butter products were found to have higher than regulated levels of Aflatoxin. Woolworths peanut butter was tested for Aflatoxin and found to be safe for consumption.
Aflatoxins is naturally occurring and must be consumed in very high quantities to be toxic to humans. Since the initial recalls were announced by others in the industry, Woolworths has systematically assessed all secondary products that contain peanut butter, such as biscuits, sauces, pretzels, energy bars and ice cream. This was done as a precautionary measure to ensure all our products meet our stringent quality standards.
As a result of this process it was found that Woolworths Peanut Butter Ice Cream contains aflatoxin levels that exceed the legal limit, we are therefore removing it from shelves. Customers who have purchased the product, may return it to their local store for a full refund.
At Woolworths we are committed to exceptional quality. Our rigorous food safety management processes ensure that all food that we produce, package and sell, delivers the Woolies quality our customers expect and trust.
Peanut Butter Dairy Ice Cream 2L – 6009211273436
Over the last month Woolworths has commenced with the roll out of two in-store initiatives to over 200 stores to assist customers with the disposal of excess or worn reusable shopping bags.
“The objective of our reusable shopping bag initiative is to change consumption behaviour and to reduce our reliance on single-use plastic. ALL our food markets are single-use plastic shopping bag free, which has resulted in a substantial increase in the demand and use of reusable shopping bags. We are committed to circularity and reducing single-use consumption, so we challenged ourselves to ensure that the broken or worn reusable bags are disposed of responsibly and given a new life and for excess bags to be reused, reducing the need to purchase more,” says Latiefa Behardien, Woolworths Foods Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer.
“Last year, as part of our vision for ZERO packaging waste to landfill, we started engaging with local recyclers to test various second life products for our reusable bags and started trialling recycling ‘drop offs’ at our tills in selected stores. The objective of the trial was to test our reverse logistics system, as the bags need to be returned with our other recyclable store waste back to our Distribution Centres where it is then sorted before moving onto recyclers for second life trials,” confirms Behardien.
With the rollout of the reusable bag recycling drops off to an additional 100 stores, Woolworths and the recyclers are hoping to have the opportunity to test various second life options on a bigger scale to finalise the best option for the worn reusable bags and close the circle.
The second ‘Bring a bag/Take a Bag’ initiative which the retailer recently trialled in four stores in Cape Town has been exceptionally well received by customers, as it offers them the opportunity to drop off their excess reusable bags that are still in good condition for other customers who have forgotten theirs to use and return thereafter.
“Based on our customer feedback and a great suggestion from ‘The Good News Guy’ – Brent Lindeque, we trialled a ‘bag share’ initiative – Bring a bag/Take a Bag in four stores and we are delighted to be rolling it out to an additional 100 stores across the country. An additional win- win, is that the in-store equipment to house the bags has been made locally by a black owned shopfitting company that we have been working with for over ten years and the
in-store structures are made from 100% recycled content, which used to be yoghurt tubs, tooth paste tubes or chip packets and would most likely end up in landfill,” adds Behardien.
“While recycling alone cannot solve the world’s pollution problems, it has significant potential to impact cleaning up our waste systems, creating jobs and reducing the use of virgin plastics. Every step of the way helps to bring about a cleaner, safer country for all,” concludes Behardien.
Go to:
https://www.woolworths.co.za/corporate/cmp213279 to view the 150 Woolworths stores that now have reusable bag recycling collection points https://www.woolworths.co.za/corporate/cmp213786 to view the 104 stores with the ‘Bring a bag/Take a Bag’ initiative.
Earns Top Honour for Environmental Leadership and Innovation
Woolworths South Africa was recently named a winner of the 2021 Change Agents Sustainability Award presented by Oracle. The Oracle Change Agent Sustainability Awards is an annual global programme that honours customers who have demonstrated excellence in environmental leadership, cost reduction, and improvement of business efficiencies with Oracle Cloud technologies.
“Woolworths South Africa’s achievement is an outstanding example of the value that comes from making sustainability a business imperative,” said Jon Chorley, Oracle’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Group Vice President of Supply Chain Management Product Strategy. “We are inspired by Woolworths South Africa’s innovative use of Oracle Cloud to create a more sustainable future, and honour their important work in accelerating meaningful change.”
Food quality, safety, consistency and traceability are critical to the success of Woolworths‘ private label business, all of which need ongoing auditing and monitoring throughout the production and supply chain. Since adopting Oracle Retail Brand Compliance Management Cloud Service) in 2017, Woolworths has also adapted the system to track and measure various key sustainability goals that the retailer reports on as part of its Good Business Journey* (GBJ).
“We are honoured to receive Oracle’s ‘Change Agents Sustainability award. With our vision to be one of the world’s most responsible retailers, sustainability is core to our business – it impacts everything that we do. As part of our GBJ commitment it is imperative for every product sold at Woolworths to have a sustainability attribute like responsibly sourced cocoa, recyclable packaging, made with free range egg or Farming for Future. This attribute needs to be identified, measured, independently audited and reported on in our annual GBJ report. Capturing these attributes in the FPI (Oracle Retail Brand Compliance Management Cloud Service specification has transformed our reporting systems which was previous very manual and time consuming. As our single system that houses our product data, Oracle Retail Brand Compliance enables real-time reliable reporting which is critical to our daily operations, comments Latiefa Behardien, Woolworths Foods Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer.
For additional information on the Oracle Change Agents Sustainability Awards, please visit https://www.oracle.com/solutions/green/awards/.
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Whether you’re preparing to welcome a little one into your life or they have already made their arrival, you know that you want to give them the world. After all, those first few months are precious, and you’d like to make the most of every moment. So when it comes to dressing your baby, peace of mind is the most important thing: it’s about what makes them feel good, lets them move freely, and keeps their well-being and safety a top priority. Wooliesbabes puts your child first in every way and for every occasion, from their first arrival at home to their very first steps.
“Wooliesbabes has always been known for great quality,” says Shaheda Sayed, Head of Woolworths Brand Communications. “We’ve expanded our baby range with curated third-party brands and introduced travel and feeding accessories.” With everything you need, from the basic essentials, to accessories and outerwear, Sayed says that Woolworths is the destination of choice for parents.
You can also rest assured knowing that Wooliesbabes has taken every detail into consideration so that you have the freedom to enjoy every moment with your little one. Woolworths has sourced the best, most sustainable materials and designed every element to be entirely safe. “Our cottons are BCI responsibly sourced cottons,” says Sayed, “we use the softest fabrics to be gentle on the skin. We never use hazardous chemicals and we are 100% transparent about the factories we use.”
As a parent, you have enough on your mind, and you don’t have to sweat the details when you have Wooliesbabes on your side. From anti-slip soles on shoes to zip guards and built-in UV protection, everything has been closely considered. And with every garment undergoing rigorous testing, including metal detection, your baby is free and safe to explore the world by your side.
Discover the line of garments and accessories from Wooliesbabes, the ultimate shopping destination for parents. Essentials range from R50 to R3 799, so there’s something for every pocket as we welcome the colder winter months.
There’s nothing that can truly prepare one for life as a new parent, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with so much information and so many products out there. New parents can now breathe a sigh of relief, thanks to the newly launched Ecocert Wooliesbabes organic baby care range; when it comes to keeping babies clean and fresh, Woolies has you covered. Typically, “clean” baby products come with a higher price tag and although parents are willing to pay extra, they don’t have to with the vegan, Wooliesbabes baby care range.
“The delicate Wooliesbabes organic baby care range is one of the few baby ranges to be Ecocert approved,” says Shaheda Sayed, Head of Woolworths Brand Communications. Ecocert is the world’s leading specialist in the certification of sustainable practices. All products marketed with the Ecocert logo have been verified from composition to processing and packaging. It’s available in lightly fragranced and fragrance-free options, so every need and preference are taken care of.”
“Our Wooliesbabes range includes everything parents need to take care of their tiny tots, including body wash, moisturiser, barrier cream and bath oil. The range is approved by Beauty without Cruelty, is dermatologically tested, pediatrician-approved and contains a no tears formulation. It is 100% vegan, contains no dyes and sulphates and is formulated with ethically-sourced ingredients,” Sayed concludes.
About Woolworths
The first Woolworths store opened its doors to the public in Cape Town in October 1931. It was founded by Max Sonnenberg who captured the public’s imagination with dynamic store policies that set Woolworths apart from its competitors. Offering clothing, food, homeware and beauty, Woolworths not only sets the benchmark for other retailers but continues to be innovative and uncompromising in quality.
There’s so much to love about Winter. The fashion, the food, and the change of routine all make it a season for indulgence. Skincare should be no different. But as temperatures drop and moisture is stripped from the air, skin can often feel the full brunt of the colder months. This can cause the skin to feel dry and flaky, leading to breakouts and even deepening fine lines and wrinkles. With Woolworths Beauty, it’s easy to combat the Winter months and have the supple, glowing and healthy skin you want this season and all year round.
Skincare
If you already have a skincare regime in place, it’s not necessary to change up everything from start to finish. Instead, keep your trusted wash and exfoliator in the mix, and consider incorporating a powerful hydrating serum and a thicker and richer moisturiser that really packs a punch. A serum and moisturiser will help prevent dry and tight skin, stop breakouts, and keep your skin looking and feeling supple.
While there may be fewer daylight hours, the African sun can still be harsh, even in Winter. So don’t ditch the sunscreen just because it’s cloudy outside! Anything with an SPF of 30 or higher is perfect and will keep sun damage – and those unwanted premature fine lines – at bay. If you feel you need just another dose of moisture, keep a face mist and lip balm nearby to keep you refreshed throughout the day.
Makeup
Flawless makeup that lasts all day starts with skin prep – just another reason to ensure that your moisturising game stays strong in Winter. More than just that, though, using primer becomes more crucial than ever, especially around the eyes. With seasonal rain (or even tearing up from dry wind), protect your eyes with a long-lasting waterproof mascara and eyeliner.
Choosing your winter foundation also doesn’t have to be a hurdle; Woolworths has a range of foundations suitable for all skin tones. for a fully hydrated finish if you tend to have dry skin in the Winter, opt for a moisturising foundation such as a liquid foundation or cream foundation. Another great option would be the foundation sticks that are creamy and sympathetic on dry winter skin, providing moisture and slip that matte liquid and powder formulas can’t match. Finish off with a setting spray, and just like that, you’re good to go no matter what the weather brings!
Your must-have Winter essentials
At Woolworths Beauty, you have access to thousands of the best beauty and makeup products for every season, no matter your skin concern. Browse in-store, online or on the app to discover the next big thing in your skincare regime. Here is a selection of highly recommended products:
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Winter is the one time of year when everything suddenly slows down, and we turn towards life’s softer comforts. The weather begs for intimacy, warmth, and small luxurious moments. And what better way to bring this about than with an inspired and considered wardrobe. So, with colder months upon us, it’s time to reflect and embrace the new season in style. Woolworths reimagines the comforts of Autumn and Winter with elevated staples to see you through the year.
This time of year, it’s about comfort and practicality. And as you brace yourself against the colder weather at home and outside, you want pieces that work and play as hard as you do – but never compromise on style. The Woolworths Autumn/Winter 2022 essentials are at once comfortable and stylish. With materials and craftsmanship at the heart of the range, each garment is a statement. “Comfort is key,” says Shaheda Sayed, the Head of Woolworths Brand Communications, “we’ve used only the softest, most comfortable quality fabrics in all our garments.”
This year, texture is everything: think warm puffers, cosy knitwear, soft fleece, and versatile denim. As comfortable at home as they are stylish outdoors, each piece gives new meaning to dressing up for the cold. And with sustainably-sourced materials, you can rest assured that you feel as good about your clothes as you look in them. “These garments are better for the planet,” says Sayed, “and we’re saying no to the negative environmental impact that the fashion industry is causing.”
With textural pieces like these, layering brings every look to life. Knitwear paired with denim is a timeless duo, while a touch of fleece adds an undeniable sense of luxury. And with a puffer, you can tie the entire look together. “Style coats and knits with pleather leggings for an ultimate stylish and sophisticated look,” says Sayed. “And style denims with a fleece hoody and chunky boots for active chic. Belt your knits for an elegant silhouette.” You can add and remove layers as you transition from indoors to outdoors, so that you’re always ready for any setting this season.
Womenswear puffers start at only R699, menswear puffers starting at R599, while knitwear starts at R379 and denim at R399. These pieces not only speak to effortless style but to longevity too. With the highest quality sustainable materials, these wardrobe essentials from the Woolworths Autumn/Winter 2022 collection will see you through many winters to come. “This range is for the savvy dresser,” adds Sayed, “it’s for the person who wants quality, well-cut garments that are versatile, have longevity and timeless, understated style.”
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