Latest news with #Woolworths'
The South African
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
'Boycott Woolworths': TV preacher reacts to Pride campaign
A popular Christian TV preacher has condemned Woolworths' Pride initiative, which has continued to court controversy amongst shoppers. The retailer recently revealed its campaign supporting the LGBTQ community during the month of June. Featuring clothing and merchandise, the range is available in stores and online. Last week, Woolworths introduced its Pride campaign to shoppers in line with the month of Pride, which celebrates the LGBTQ community. Unlike previous years, the retailer turned off comments on their social media platforms, likely to curb criticism and homophobic comments from the public. On Facebook, Christian preacher Errol Naidoo, who presents the shows Salt & Light and Watchmen on the Wall on TBN Africa, shared his scathing views of the campaign. Naidoo – who is also the founder of South Africa's Family Policy Institute – posted: 'Woolworths appears to be the only retailer pushing LGBTQ 'Pride' indoctrination on its shoppers, including children'. He continued: ''Pride' month and the destructive anti-family ideology it promotes have largely been discredited around the world. Woolworths sees no contradiction in promoting Father's Day and the sexual rights ideology that makes marriage and the family obsolete – in their stores'. The ordained minister added: 'Boycott Woolworths in the month of June. Do not support sexual indoctrination'. Woolworths appear to be the only retailer pushing LGBTQ 'pride' indoctrination on its shoppers including children…. Posted by Errol Naidoo on Friday 6 June 2025 Naidoo's comments come as many other social media users have condemned the campaign and threatened to boycott the stores. While many corporations have skipped Pride campaigns this year out of fear of public backlash and financial repercussions, Woolworths has continued to stand firm with the LGBTQ community as proud allies. However, the company has scaled back its in-store displays and turned off its social media comments. It has also shunned speaking out on its controversial stance. Last year, the retailer stated that the campaign encouraged the public to 'own, express, and celebrate their identity.' It added: 'Our Pride campaign is part of the Woolworths Inclusive Justice Initiative – acting against discrimination and marginalisation.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
12-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
At Woolworths, clean beauty isn't just a trend — it's a promise
For Woolworths, clean beauty isn't merely a buzzword — it's a commitment to safer, sustainable beauty ranges. Every WBeauty product is carefully formulated with mild and gentle ingredients, prioritising safety for both consumers and the environment. Clean beauty is a fast-growing movement in the cosmetics and skincare industry, focusing on the use of safe, non-toxic, and responsibly sourced ingredients. While there is no universal definition, at Woolworths, clean beauty means delivering the beauty solutions you want — without the ingredients that could harm you or the planet. It's about transparency, safety, and sustainability at every step. Each ingredient in the WBeauty range is rigorously selected and backed by scientific research to ensure it meets Woolworths' clean beauty standards. Harsh chemicals and toxins don't make the cut. Instead, only ingredients with a proven safety track record are included. To maintain these high standards, all products undergo comprehensive testing by internationally recognised toxicologists in accredited laboratories. To define and refine its clean beauty promise, Woolworths collaborates with expert manufacturers and raw material suppliers. Together, they assess the impact of clean beauty on customers and the environment while ensuring full alignment with Woolworths' Good Business Journey. Ethical sourcing is also key — Woolworths only partners with factories that uphold fair labour and responsible manufacturing practices. More than 85% of WBeauty products are made in SA, directly supporting over 500 jobs, with women making up the majority of the workforce Responsibility extends beyond ingredient selection. The WBeauty range is 100% vegan, meaning no animal-derived ingredients or by-products are used. Furthermore, the range is endorsed by Beauty Without Cruelty, ensuring that no animal testing is conducted at any stage of production. Woolworths is also committed to sustainable ingredient sourcing. The company uses Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)-certified palm oil in its WBeauty skin and body products, supporting global efforts to promote responsible palm oil production. The RSPO brings together industry stakeholders to establish and implement standards that protect the environment and communities involved in palm oil farming. Local manufacturing and inclusivity are integral to Woolworths' clean beauty mission. More than 85% of WBeauty products are made in SA, directly supporting over 500 jobs, with women making up the majority of the workforce. By prioritising local production, Woolworths not only boosts the South African economy but also reduces its carbon footprint. WBeauty continues to innovate with its latest active-based skincare range, Holiday Glow. This collection harnesses the power of South African and African botanicals to target key skin concerns such as hydration, stretch marks, wrinkles, and spot control. Adding to the brand's clean beauty evolution, Woolworths has recently launched a new WBeauty haircare range, HAIRLAB, in selected stores nationally. Formulated with botanical extracts, this sulphate-free range is clinically tested and designed to target all scalp concerns for all hair types — straight, wavy, curly, or coily — ensuring inclusive beauty for everyone. Woolworths' newly launched HAIRLAB hair care range incorporates a combination of South African and other African botanicals and caters to ALL hair types — straight, wavy, curly, and coily. Image: Woolworths 'As the world looks to clean beauty and nature for solutions, plants offer a wealth of benefits. By incorporating powerful botanicals into our skincare and haircare products, we are not only celebrating local innovation but also creating a more sustainable future — one rooted in nature's wisdom,' says Laura Naidu, Woolworths Beauty head of Technology and Sourcing. Woolworths' clean beauty journey is about more than just products — it's about making responsible choices that benefit people and the planet. Because when beauty is clean, it's truly beautiful.
Epoch Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Supermarket Giant Woolworths to Cut Prices on 400 Products
Australian consumers could benefit from lower grocery prices as supermarket giant Woolworths launches a major discount program this week. On May 12, Woolworths said it would lower the shelf prices of 400 products in store and online with an average price reduction of 10 percent. The supermarket said a family spending $150 (US$96) a week could save around $15 when buying these products, which include cereal, yogurt, soft drinks, and daily necessities. For example, the price of Woolworths Chicken Schnitzels 600 grams will fall from $10.50 to $9.00 (down 14 percent), while a 2 litre Coca-Cola bottle will drop from $4.20 to $3.70 (12 percent). Not A Short-Term Promotion: Woolworths CEO Woolworths Group CEO Amanda Bardwell said the latest price reduction was not a short-term promotion. 'It's about lower shelf prices on the products we know customers regularly shop for, and providing genuine, lasting and dependable value they can count on,' she said in a statement. 'Individually, each lower shelf price might not seem like a dramatic difference, but they will add up to real savings. Related Stories 4/11/2025 3/31/2025 'Today marks the start of a real, tangible change customers will see on the shelf prices of hundreds of products when they shop with us, both in-store and online. And it's just the beginning.' According to Woolworths, the lower prices will stay at least until 2026, with more products joining the program in the next period. 'We are committed to expanding the Lower Shelf Price product list in the coming weeks and months to help provide customers with even more value every time they shop with us,' Bardwell said. Apart from the price discount, the supermarket also suggest saving measures including switching from to Woolworths' own cheaper brands, or opting for fruits and vegetables that are oddly shaped. Lawsuits Over Alleged Misleading Discount Claims Woolworths' new price cut promotion comes as the supermarket giant deals with claims from the competition watchdog. In September 2024, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ( The consumer watchdog alleged that Woolworths raised the prices of products before launching 'discount' promotions. In some instances, this saw actual prices become higher than, or similar to, the previous price. Two months later, law firm Gerard Malouf and Partners filed The action is pushing to penalise Woolworths and forcing it to compensate impacted customers with a refund between $200 and $1,300 per person. In response, Woolworths said it would defend against the class action.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Australia's Woolworths to focus on own-brand offers as living costs weigh on consumers
Australia's largest supermarket chain Woolworths said cost-conscious shoppers were increasingly looking for cheaper alternatives amid rising living costs, spurring its push into more private-label offerings , similar to rival Coles . Cost-of-living pressures loom as a key issue for Australians voting in a general election on May 3. Woolworths, which sells more than one-third of Australian groceries, posted better-than-expected third-quarter sales on Thursday, as price cuts boosted volumes in its core grocery business. Shares ended 1.2% higher at $31.94 on Thursday. Woolworths' home-label brands remained popular among customers, especially in categories offering discounts of over over 40%, CEO Amanda Bardwell said on Thursday. "We're seeing a lot of value-seeking across our grocery areas and that's where we're seeing an increasing number of products for own-brand perform particularly well," Bardwell told reporters on a call. Group sales rose by 3.2 per cent to A$17.31 billion ($11.09 billion) in the third quarter compared to A$16.77 billion the prior year. Own-brand and e-commerce increased by 5.7 per cent and 15.7 per cent respectively during the period. Jesse Moors, portfolio manager at Spatium Capital , said the year-on-year growth in online sales was not a surprise given more people were opting to stay indoors, and "receiving the spending dopamine-hit via their mobile devices." Analysts at Jefferies highlighted a stronger-than-expected third quarter for both Woolworths and Coles, suggesting an improvement in market conditions. While the results showed resilience in a challenging retail landscape where cooling inflation has limited pricing power, Bardwell said customers remained concerned by rising living costs and managing budgets. Woolworths has lowered prices on over 340 products, reducing them by an average of 1.2% on everything except fruit, vegetables and tobacco. "Overall, our prices are competitive against our main competitors but there is this ongoing work we need to do," she told analysts on a conference call. Smaller rival Coles reported an increase of 3.4 per cent year-on-year in third quarter group sales, reflecting strong growth at its supermarket business on higher volumes. Woolworths' Bardwell flagged that clothing continued to pose challenges at Woolworths' Big W operations, which runs discount department stores. "Clothing sales were driven by spring summer clearance activity with a slower start to autumn winter, which has continued into April," Bardwell said.
Perth Now
01-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Sales items Aussies are looking for
Discounted items and bargain-hunting Aussies helped lift Woolworths' food sales, but cost-of-living pressures remain for customers, Australia's largest supermarket says. During an announcement to the ASX, Woolworths chief executive Amanda Bardwell said food sales were 'solid' despite moderating inflation, adverse weather conditions and industrial actions in the prior quarter. Woolworths said Easter-adjusted sales in the quarter increased by 3.6 per cent to $13.05bn on the back of an increase in promotional uptake by customers and growth in lower-priced items. The supermarket boss claimed Australians were still facing pressures at the checkout. 'Cost of living remains a concern for customers; however, customer scores were largely stable during the quarter and sales growth rates improved modestly across the group,' Ms Bardwell said. Woolworths has announced 'solid' third-quarter sales. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia Average prices in Woolworths' food retail operations, excluding tobacco, fell 0.5 per cent from a year earlier, marking a fifth consecutive quarterly decline. This comes as customers continue to look for cheaper or discounted items when shopping, dragging the average price of goods lower. The supermarket also flagged the impact of floods in Queensland and Northern NSW during the quarter that it estimated added up to $25m in additional costs from increased stock losses, higher transportation expenses and damage to its Hervey Bay supermarket. 'I would like to recognise the incredible efforts of our team to support weather-affected parts of Queensland and Northern NSW during the period,' Ms Bardwell said. 'This included airlifting essential items into Ingham and other communities isolated by floodwaters as well as the donation of groceries and essential items to local evacuation centres.' Woolworths' Coolangatta supermarket was stripped bare of essentials due to Cyclone Alfred. NewsWire / Glen Campbell Credit: NewsWire But Woolworths Group's Big W division is heading for a $70m loss for the second half. The company said clothing remained a challenge, with Q3 growth reliant on clearances of spring and summer clothing, while it announced a slower start for its autumn/winter range. The business's play division growth was driven by toys due to everyday low pricing and continued strong momentum in own brand (Somersault), which offset declines in gaming, office stationery and books. In a similar story, Coles chief executive Leah Weckert on Wednesday said the supermarket giant's sales data for the three months until the end of March showed customers had cut back on treats, including lollies, alcohol, reduced their meat intake and ditching bottled water. She also said customers were looking for heavily discounted stock to buy when on their weekly shop. 'Our most popular and well-performing specials would be the ones that are 40 to 50 per cent off,' Ms Weckert said. 'We have announced big promotions that are really relevant to customers instead of lots of small ones.'
