Woolworths Ltd news

The beauty retailer is reportedly looking to open its first standalone stores in Australia in 2015. Standalone stores will increase beauty competition Reports suggest that Sephora was planning on entering the market in partnership with department stores David Jones and Myer, however it has decided to go it alone. The premium cosmetics and fragrance market in Australia is estimated to be worth A...

As part of a wider marketing reshuffle, Woolworths has appointed ex-Coles advertising executive, Tony Philips to the position of Chief Marketing Officer. Wider reshuffle will embed insight into marketing function Having spent the past seven years in various marketing roles with Coles, Tony Philips has switched to the retailer's main rival. The new position appears to fill the void left by direc...

Woolworths has announced that it is to open over 100 new stores this financial year, creating just short of 7,000 new jobs. New stores across all major formats The new stores and jobs will be spread across all aspects of the retailer's Australian operation, including Woolworths Supermarkets, Dan Murphy's and BWS liquor stores, Big W general merchandise stores and Masters home improvement. Ju...

Woolworths has released its H1 profits for the 27 weeks to 5 January 2014, with net profits after tax from continuing operations before significant items up 6.0%. Australian Food, Liquor and Petrol EBIT up 6.7% to AU$1,766m EBIT for food and liquor increased 6.8% to AU$1,692m and for petrol 4.2% to AU$74m. During the half Woolworths served on average 21m customers a week, up 3.9% YOY. Customers...

As we launch a new hypermarkets and supermarkets hub page and insight presentation, we report on three strategies being used to drive growth at hypermarkets and supermarkets. 1. New ways to define value A number of retailers globally are finding that value-focused large formats are hitting a growing sweet spot with shoppers. From the growth of the atacadista format in Brazil from Casino and...

Australian retailer Woolworths announces H1 sales from continuing operations of AUS31.8bn, an increase of 6%.  Improved performance in Food and Liquor A results highlight was an improved performance for the Food and Liquor division, which saw sales grow 4.8%. Alongside a successful Christmas trading period, the 'More Savings Every Day' program has played an important role,  resonating wi...

Whether it be new promotions, the launch of retailer radio stations or new supplier deals, read on to get a quick round up of this weeks news from Australia. New battleground for promotions being drawn? As predicted in our 'Australia in Focus: Six Trends for 2014' article , both Coles and Woolworths have started to redirect capital freed up from not running fuel docket promotions into new me...

As we welcome in 2014, Senior Business Analyst Nick Miles looks ahead and explores some of the trends and developments that we are likely to see emerge from Australia's dynamic and exciting grocery market over the next 12 months. 1. Thinking 'multichannel' will unlock new areas of growth After years of supermarket dominated retailing, the Australian grocery market is becoming increasingly comp...

Coles and Woolworths have agreed to voluntarily cap the level of discounts they offer on fuel. More level playing field for the competition The agreement means that the retailers will only offer discounts that are solely funded from their fuel and associated convenience businesses, plus see them cap the discounts available from supermarket dockets at 4¢ off per litre. Independent retailer...

After 11 years as Woolworths Chief Financial Officer, Tom Pockett will retire from his position on 1 February and the Woolworths Board on 1 July 2014. David Marr to succeed Tom Pockett Pockett was appointed as CFO in August 2012 and joined the Woolworths Board seven years ago. He will be replaced by David Marr, who has been lined up to succeed Pockett over the last three years. Marr joined ...