BUSINESS TASK 2021
Name: Madison Ash
School: Glenwood House College
Grade: 11M
Topic: complete an extensive study on Woolworths in
the general market in South Africa
1
,TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Executive summary …………………………………………………… 3
Methodology……………………………………………………………. 4-5
Review of literature ……………………………………………………. 6-17
Background of company……………………………………………….. 18
Processing of findings ……………………………………………… 19 - 30
Strategy…………………………………………………………………31
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………..32
Reference list …………………………………………………………..33
2
,Executive summary
Aim of this report
The aim of this report is to complete an extensive study on the Woolworths brand in
the general retail market in South Africa. The report will include my research by
consulting the necessary stakeholders. It will be based on several broad issues by
using the businesses financial reports, share prices, newspaper articles and online
articles. I will also create a PESTLE analysis to discuss the challenges faced in the
macro environment and use the Porters model to analyse the challenges the
business is currently facing. I will complete a SWOT analysis in the response to the
information I have collected. In my strategic plan for the company’s future, I will
include formal strategies and my recommendations. My report will also include my
analysis of all my sources, resources, and references.
Hypothesis
Woolworths’s food stores panders single use packaging to the higher income LSM to
be perceived as more convenient and to tailor to the wealthier population of South
Africa.
Introduction
Woolworths Holding Limited (WHL) is one of the leading retail groups in South
Africa, Australia and New Zealand. It consists of three main divisions:
1) Woolworths South Africa
2) David Jones
3) Country Road Group
The South African Woolworths business consists of full-line fashion, home and
beauty stores, and a premium food retail offering. There are also stand-alone food
stores and “Food Stops” that are attached to Engen petrol stations mostly located in
urban areas.
In 1931 in Cape Town, South Africa, the first Woolworths store opened its doors to
the public. Now south African Woolworths is a retail giant that owns 1492 stores. The
founder of Woolworths, Max Sonnenberg, introduced dynamic store policies that set
Woolworths apart from its competitors. A second store opened three years later, and
another two the year after that.
The Woolworths brand has consistently built its reputation for superior quality
products, exciting innovation and excellent value for money. In this report I will
explain how Woolworths’s food makes use of single use packaging to cater to the
wealthier South African population, who perceive their products as fresher and of a
higher quality. This is at the expense of the environment.
3
, Methodology
The 2 main methods I used for this research task was an interview with the manager
of the Plettenberg Bay Woolworths branch and research through newspapers and
online articles.
Quantitative data methods:
I created a questionnaire for the branch manager, Alan Meyer, to fill out before I
came to interview him. I compiled data and research in the form of graphs, diagrams,
and statistical analysis.
Questionnaire
Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability on a piece of lined
paper or you may email me your answers ().
1) How long have you been working at Woolworths?
2) How long have you been working at the Plettenberg Bay Woolworths branch?
3) What are day to day challenges you face as a manager?
4) How has covid-19 affected the branch?
5) Have you noticed any growth in the branch since you have worked here?
6) Have you made any changes within the branch to help conserve the
environment?
7) Does Woolworths stay up to date with the latest technology?
8) How has Woolworths dealt with the current economic status of South Africa?
Has it directly affected the branch in any way?
9) Is there anything you would change about the branch?
4
Name: Madison Ash
School: Glenwood House College
Grade: 11M
Topic: complete an extensive study on Woolworths in
the general market in South Africa
1
,TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Executive summary …………………………………………………… 3
Methodology……………………………………………………………. 4-5
Review of literature ……………………………………………………. 6-17
Background of company……………………………………………….. 18
Processing of findings ……………………………………………… 19 - 30
Strategy…………………………………………………………………31
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………..32
Reference list …………………………………………………………..33
2
,Executive summary
Aim of this report
The aim of this report is to complete an extensive study on the Woolworths brand in
the general retail market in South Africa. The report will include my research by
consulting the necessary stakeholders. It will be based on several broad issues by
using the businesses financial reports, share prices, newspaper articles and online
articles. I will also create a PESTLE analysis to discuss the challenges faced in the
macro environment and use the Porters model to analyse the challenges the
business is currently facing. I will complete a SWOT analysis in the response to the
information I have collected. In my strategic plan for the company’s future, I will
include formal strategies and my recommendations. My report will also include my
analysis of all my sources, resources, and references.
Hypothesis
Woolworths’s food stores panders single use packaging to the higher income LSM to
be perceived as more convenient and to tailor to the wealthier population of South
Africa.
Introduction
Woolworths Holding Limited (WHL) is one of the leading retail groups in South
Africa, Australia and New Zealand. It consists of three main divisions:
1) Woolworths South Africa
2) David Jones
3) Country Road Group
The South African Woolworths business consists of full-line fashion, home and
beauty stores, and a premium food retail offering. There are also stand-alone food
stores and “Food Stops” that are attached to Engen petrol stations mostly located in
urban areas.
In 1931 in Cape Town, South Africa, the first Woolworths store opened its doors to
the public. Now south African Woolworths is a retail giant that owns 1492 stores. The
founder of Woolworths, Max Sonnenberg, introduced dynamic store policies that set
Woolworths apart from its competitors. A second store opened three years later, and
another two the year after that.
The Woolworths brand has consistently built its reputation for superior quality
products, exciting innovation and excellent value for money. In this report I will
explain how Woolworths’s food makes use of single use packaging to cater to the
wealthier South African population, who perceive their products as fresher and of a
higher quality. This is at the expense of the environment.
3
, Methodology
The 2 main methods I used for this research task was an interview with the manager
of the Plettenberg Bay Woolworths branch and research through newspapers and
online articles.
Quantitative data methods:
I created a questionnaire for the branch manager, Alan Meyer, to fill out before I
came to interview him. I compiled data and research in the form of graphs, diagrams,
and statistical analysis.
Questionnaire
Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability on a piece of lined
paper or you may email me your answers ().
1) How long have you been working at Woolworths?
2) How long have you been working at the Plettenberg Bay Woolworths branch?
3) What are day to day challenges you face as a manager?
4) How has covid-19 affected the branch?
5) Have you noticed any growth in the branch since you have worked here?
6) Have you made any changes within the branch to help conserve the
environment?
7) Does Woolworths stay up to date with the latest technology?
8) How has Woolworths dealt with the current economic status of South Africa?
Has it directly affected the branch in any way?
9) Is there anything you would change about the branch?
4
