Woolworths news and archive

Levi Strauss president exits company to become CEO of supermarket chain

Roy Bagattini is exiting Levi Strauss & Co. after six and a half years with the company to join Woolworths as its new CEO. Bagattini has served as executive vice president and president of Levi Strauss Americas since 2016 and will leave the position on February 16. Woolworths is a South African supermarket chain currently led by CEO Ian Moir....

Business

Shop Direct to put Woolworth’s name up for sale

The Woolworths name could be put up for sale after its current owner, online retailer ShopDirect, has announced over the weekend the imminent closure of its website. The group’s chief executive advanced the investment would be directed towards a more successful website. As revealed by Shop Direct’s chief executive Alex Baldock in an interview...

Fashion Featured

Looking Beyond the Obvious in Sub-Saharan Africa - Part I

For many fashion brands, South Africa has been the stepping stone into the sub-Saharan region due to the attractive economic growth and affluent market. But has the time now come to start expanding north? According to Euromonitor International, sales through apparel and footwear specialists in Nigeria and Kenya are expected to grow by 93 percent...

Design

213 million: “best and final” offer for Country Road

South African retailer Woolworths Holdings Limited (JSE:WHL) has declared its 213 million dollars bid for Country Road Limited’s(ASX:CTY) “best and final” offer for the latter. The suitor offered an all cash offer of 17 dollars per share. Woolworths already owns 87.8 percent of Country Road and is currently amid a takeover process for Australian...

Design

Woolworths' shareholders approve David Jones deal

Shareholders of South African retail group Woolworths have approved the buyout of AustralianDavid Jones for 2 billion dollars. The acquisition was approved by virtually all Woolworths shareholders in a special meeting. “This is transformational for Woolworths. This will allow us to take market share from others, both in South Africa and Africa,”...

Design

Woolworths receives green light for David Jones deal

South African mayor fashion player Woolworths announced on Friday that it had receivedapproval from the Reserve Bank for its acquisition of Australia’s David Jones. Woolworths' 2.15 billion Australian dollars bid for David Jones Ltd was made public in early April and happened to be the second offer that the latter receives in the past six...

Fashion

M&A in fashion go south: Woolworths bids for David Jones

South African retailer Woolworths Holdings Ltd. has unveiled a 2.15 billion Australian dollars bid for Australian chain David Jones Ltd. This is the second offer that the latter receives in the past six months. David Jones´stock surged by more than 20 percent on the back of the unexpected takeover offer from the South African retail group. As...

Fashion

Woolworths manager re-opens store

The manager of a Dorset Woolworths which closed when the firm collapsed is to re-open the shop she worked for under the new name Wellworths. Claire Robertson, 34, who worked for the High Street chain for 18 years, plans to reopen the doors to its building in Dorchester in March. Ms Robertson began her "Woolies" career as a Saturday girl in...

Fashion

Woolworths to relaunch online

Woolworths is to re-launch as an online retailer after being bought by the owners of the Daily Telegraph, Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay. The Barclay Brothers intend re-launching the brand alongside their other online retailers, including Great Universal and Marshall Ward. Reports today suggested the Barclay twins will also include...

Fashion

Woolworths to close

Administrators at Woolworths say that all 807 stores will close by 5 January. The first shops will shut on 27 December and all 27,000 permanent and temporary staff will lose their jobs if no last-minute buyer is found. The administrators said there was still interest in parts of the business but admitted they had "not come close" to finding a...