Woolworths

Woolworths is a South African retailer founded in Cape Town in 1931 by Max and Richard Sonnenberg. It sells clothing, food, homeware and beauty, largely under its own labels, and is part of Woolworths Holdings Limited.

What is Woolworths?

Woolworths is a South African multi-category retailer headquartered in Cape Town. It is owned by Woolworths Holdings Limited, which is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and also owns the Australian Country Road Group. It is unrelated to the Woolworths businesses in Australia and elsewhere.

History

Max Sonnenberg and his son Richard opened the first store in Cape Town in 1931. Over the following decades the business grew into one of South Africa's best-known retail names.

Products and positioning

Woolworths combines clothing, food, homeware and beauty, and also offers financial services such as store cards. Its fashion offer is built largely on own brands, including:

• Studio W
• RE:
• Edition

The group also represents the Australian brands Country Road, Witchery and Trenery, which have opened stores in South Africa.

Distribution

The wider group operates around 1,600 locations, most of them in Southern Africa and the rest in Australia, and Woolworths sells online through its own website.

Why it matters

Woolworths is one of the largest own-label clothing retailers in Africa, and its combination of fashion, food and financial services makes it a key reference for omnichannel retail in the region.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Woolworths South Africa?

Woolworths was founded in Cape Town in 1931 by Max Sonnenberg and his son Richard.

Is Woolworths South Africa the same as Woolworths Australia?

No, Woolworths South Africa is a separate company owned by Woolworths Holdings Limited.

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