Woolworths Holdings reported group turnover and concession sales up by only 0.2% in the 19 weeks to 8 November 2026, as rising fuel prices and persistent cost-of-living pressures weighed on consumer spending. The South African retailer said trading conditions remained challenging in both South Africa and Australia, its second-largest market.

South Africa grows 1.6% as fashion lags

In South Africa, turnover and concession sales rose by 1.6% over the 19 weeks, held back by declines in the Fashion, Beauty and Home division. The food unit performed better, delivering turnover growth of 1.9% on a comparable-store basis. Woolworths said its recently completed acquisition of In2Food was expected to support margins.

Australian business under pressure

Country Road Group, the retailer's Australian apparel business, reported a 9.5% decline in sales, with all of its brands under pressure. Comparable-store sales there fell by 8.2%. BusinessDay reported that several Country Road brands trade as concessions inside David Jones, which has been placed into administration and receivership, and that Woolworths is in communication with the appointed receivers and managers.

Shares fall as chief executive reviews the group

Shares in Woolworths were down 10.7% to R36.88 at 10.30am on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on Wednesday. New group chief executive Sam Ngumeni is reviewing the performance and future role of the retailer's businesses, and Woolworths has identified food as its main growth driver. In the Fashion, Beauty and Home division, total turnover and concession sales fell by 0.3%, although homeware sales rose by 6.4%, beauty sales grew by 3.1% and online sales increased by 16.1%. Woolworths expects to release its next trading update in January, after the festive shopping period.