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Woolworths Holdings

JSE-listed South African investment holding company with Woolworths South Africa and Country Road Group as its two operating divisions.

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Woolworths Holdings is a South African investment holding company. Its two operating divisions are Woolworths South Africa and Country Road Group. [2]

History

The holding company was incorporated on 11 November 1929. Max Sonnenberg founded the Woolworths retail business in Cape Town in 1931. [2][1]

The company listed on the JSE in 1997. It later expanded through Country Road, David Jones and Absolute Pets transactions. [2]

Frequently asked questions

Is Woolworths Holdings the same company as its stores?

No. Woolworths Holdings is the listed investment holding company. Woolworths Proprietary Limited is its wholly owned South African operating company. [2]

Does Woolworths Holdings still own David Jones?

No. The group sold its entire David Jones shareholding on 31 March 2023. [2]

Key milestones

  1. Holding company incorporated. [2]

  2. Listed on the JSE. [2]

  3. Sam Ngumeni became group chief executive. [3][4]

Founded / co-founded by

  • Max Sonnenberg — Founder of the South African Woolworths retail business, which opened its first Cape Town store in 1931.

Related people

Related articles

Related institutions

  • Woolworths South Africa — Wholly owned South African operating company behind the Woolworths retail business, with roots in Max Sonnenberg’s 1931 Cape Town store.
  • Country Road Group — Australasian fashion and lifestyle group that Woolworths Holdings fully acquired in September 2014 after an earlier controlling investment.
  • David Jones — Australian department-store business acquired by Woolworths Holdings in 2014 and sold in full in March 2023.
  • Woolworths Financial Services — Financial-services joint venture in which Absa owns 50% plus one share and the WHL group holds 50% less one share.
  • Absolute Pets — South African specialist pet retailer in which Woolworths Holdings acquired a 93.45% controlling interest in April 2024.

Sources

  1. Woolworths Holdings, Our history. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-22. ↩
  2. Woolworths Holdings, Information statement: group history, structure and Woolworths Financial Services arrangements, 2025-11-28. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-22. ↩
  3. Woolworths Holdings, Directorate: Sam Ngumeni. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-22. ↩
  4. Woolworths Holdings, Summary of the audited group results for the 52 weeks ended 28 June 2026, 2026-09-02. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-22. ↩