More than 99% of Woolworths corporate stores (more than 200 in South Africa) have standby generator power supplies, enabling them to continue to trade despite Eskom’s capacity and maintenance issues. The store’s emergency back up generator keeps equipment like refrigeration units and tills, up and running, and provides ambient lighting. Only two corporate stores do not currently have the space to accommodate generators. All other stores will be open during normal trading hours despite the power failures, even when centres in which the Woolworths stores are located experience power outages. Woolworths customers are able to shop despite Eskom’s load shedding. The vast majority of Woolworths food suppliers are comprehensively covered by back up power supply, enabling them to continue with normal production despite load shedding. Many of Woolworths franchise stores (more than 80 in South Africa) have back up generators but some customers in smaller outlying areas may find that their local franchise stores don’t have back-up generators and will not be able to serve customers during a power outage. The effect of electricity load shedding on Woolworths sales is not significant at this stage. However, load shedding has affected the functioning of certain electronic systems. Some point of sale transactions may be affected when Telkom services are interrupted by power cuts. For instance, when a customer exceeds the floor limit on Credit cards, voice authorisation may be difficult to attain. When Telkom services are interrupted by power cuts, some point of sale transactions may be affected, for instance when a customer exceeds the floor limit on Credit cards, voice authorisation may be difficult to attain. Woolworths mitigates the effect of these disruptions by comprehensively monitoring the network to predict such disruptions. Engineers can then be despatched to the affected stores to ensure the minimal disruptions to customers and to ensure quality and service is not compromised. We are continually looking at further opportunities to minimise the affect of lead shedding on Woolworths, our suppliers and customers. Ends.

More than 99% of Woolworths corporate stores (more than 200 in South Africa) have standby generator power supplies, enabling them to continue to trade despite Eskom’s capacity and maintenance issues. The store’s emergency back up generator keeps equipment