Woolworths sales growth stalls as pressured consumers rein in spending

Résumé détaillé

Slowing the retailer down at the start of the 2027 financial year.

Retail giant Woolworths says its 2027 financial year kicked off subdued, as high fuel prices, inflation and interest rates continue to constrain consumer demand and discretionary spend, with shoppers increasingly prioritising promotional offerings and essential purchases.

Thanks to a challenging trading environment across the South African and Australian markets, group turnover and concession sales for the period grew marginally by 0.2%, and by 0.1% in constant currency.

Read: Rising petrol prices change how South Africans fill up Diesel to come down by at least R1.20/l

Woolworths South Africa grew turnover and concession sales by 1.6% for the period, reflecting the impact of the constrained consumer environment.

Within this, the food business delivered modest turnover and concession sales growth of 1.9% and 0.1% on a comparable-store basis.

“We continued to focus on delivering quality and innovation with convenience and value, achieving strong growth in newness,” the retailer said in a Sens on Wednesday, releasing its trading update for the 19 weeks ended 8 November 2026.

Online sales growth accelerated to 24.1%, and contributed 9.1% to SA Food sales.

Read: Woolworths moves to acquire key supplier in2food Woolworths clears final hurdles to acquire in2food

Woolworths acquired 100% of the shares in the privately owned prepared foods manufacturer in a bid to extend its competitive advantage in premium food retailing.

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