1931
first Woolworths store opens
Max Sonnenberg opens the first Woolworths store in Plein Street Cape Town
1934
Second Woolworths opens in Durban
1935
Two more stores open in PORT ELIZABETH and Johannesburg
1936
Woolworths lists on the stock exchange
Shares cost 1 pound each (R2)
1947
An ongoing relationship with Marks & Spencer is forged
1952
THE OBSESSION WITH QUALITY
Woolworths expands clothing business into high-quality fashion guaranteed by technology – and supports the South African Clothing business
1960
Woolworths takes a stand against segregated entrances
1960
With quality always the driving force, Woolworths becomes the first retailer to stamp use by dates on food
1970
Woolworths sets out to revolutionise the cold chain
1970
Woolworths adds ‘sell by’ date on food products
1982
The Princess food brand is discontinued
From now on, it’s only Woolworths private label with the guarantee of quality
1983
Fashion follows suit, and all Princess labels are replaced with Woolworths private label
1986
Woolworths becomes the first SA retailer to recycle clothes hangers
This leads to the formation of Hangerman, which provides meaningful employment for physically and mentally challenged people
1987
The first Woolworths store opens in Africa in Francistown, Botswana
1990
Into the future! Woolworths gets a new till system that allows till operators to ring up purchases by scanning a barcode
1991
Woolworths launches pillow packs for lettuce – the first retailer to do so
1994
Woolworths introduces its store card
1996
The first Woolworths clothing store opens in Lesotho
1997
WOOLWORTHS MAKES IT EASY TO GIVE BACK
Making it easy for customers to give back, Woolworths teams up with MySchool. (MyVillage and MyPlanet only came into being in 2006)
1999
In a groundbreaking move, Woolworths announces that MSG and tartrazine will no longer be used, and that substantial salt and sugar reductions will be made in many existing foods products
2001
WOOLWORTHS ONLINE SHOPPING IS LAUNCHED
CALLED In The Bag
2003
SCREENING BABY CLOTHES FOR SAFETY
Woolworths is the first in South Africa to launch the screening of all our baby and children’s clothing with a metal detector to make sure nothing harmful is left behind during manufacturing
2003
RIPE & READY AVOS LAND ON THE SHELVES
After 15 long years of research and hard work, the first ripe & ready avos land on the shelves – it’s a first in the world
2003
Elizabeth Dlamini Khumalo becomes the first black woman on the Woolworths board
2004
Woolworths commits to selling free range eggs only
2004
The Woolworths Trust forges a relationship with EduPlant, an initiative run by Food & Trees for Africa, which helps schools develop sustainable food gardens using permaculture techniques
2005
Woolworths introduces shopping baskets and trolleys made from recycled plastic
2007
Woolworths PUBLICLY ANNOUNCES THE GOOD BUSINESS JOURNEY
Formalising the journey for sustainability. In a pioneering move, Woolworths launches its Good Business Journey and establishes its vision to become the most responsible retailer in the southern hemisphere
2007
Woolworths announces Staff BEE Share Ownership Scheme
EMPOWERING STAFF THROUGH BEE SHARE OWNERSHIP SCHEME
2007
Woolworths becomes world’s third largest user of organic cotton
2008
Woolworths is named International Responsible Retailer of the Year in 2008 at the World Retail Congress
2008
Woolworths becomes first SA retailer to sign WWF-SASSI Retail Charter in support of sustainable seafood
2008
Woolworths is the first South African retailer to offer clothing made from organic wool
2009
Woolworths introduces SA’s first clothing made from 100% South African cotton (from 2009)
2009
FARMING FOR THE FUTURE
Woolworths pioneers Farming for the Future, a new method of farming that encourages farmers to grow food sustainably and in harmony with nature
2009
To ensure that there ARE more fish in the sea for future generations, Woolworths launches THE Fishing for the Future programme
2009
Growing SMALL BLACK BUSINESSES
Woolworths Launches an Enterprise Development programme, to give opportunities to small, black-owned businesses
2009
Image is everything
Woolworths undergoes a complete brand refresh in collaboration with international designers Massimo Vignelli and Vince Frost. Massimo creates the new logo and typefaces – WFutura and WBodoni; Frost and his design agency overseeS the implementation
2009
Fridges against global warming: Woolworths reinvents its refrigeration using natural gases that are not harmful to the ozone
2010
Loyalty gets rewarded. Woolworths launches WRewards – the first non-points loyalty programme in SA retail that has built-in savings customers can see on their till sLip
2010
Woolworths removes azo dyes from its own brand food
2010
FROM CLOTHING WASTE TO EMPOWERMENT
A new initiative takes ownership of clothing waste and converts it in a way that empowers women
2014
THE FIRST RETAILER TO JOIN THE BETTER COTTON INITIATIVE
Woolworths is the first retailer to become a member of the Better Cotton Initiative and sets a target of 100% sustainable cotton
2015
It’s all about fashion that cares. Woolworths introduces denim made using recycled polyester
2015
Remember the Aisle of Sin? Woolworths removes sweets and chocolates from checkout aisles ahead of other local retailers
2015
A proud moment as Zyda Rylands is appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Woolworths South Africa
2016
As part of the Good Business Journey, Woolworths launches bold sustainability targets to be met by 2020
2017
Reason to celebrate: 10 years of the Good Business Journey
2017
Zyda Rylands becomes the first ever recipient of the World Retail Congress Woman of the Year award
2018
Taking a stand against hunger, Woolworths leads an industry initiative to combat food wastage in our value chain by joining forces with FOODFORWARDSA
2018
The fight against plastic: Woolworths announces its intention to achieve zero packaging waste to landfill by 2022. Also launches first plastic bag free stores
2018
Shop from your phone!
Woolworths announces in-app shopping
2020
Woolworths introduces recycled polyester in duvets and pillows. It has now been extended to board shorts, polar fleece tops and puffer jackets
2020
As the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, Woolworths launches Click & Collect service to ensure the wellbeing of its customers
2020
In reaction to an ever-increasing demand for fast, efficient online shopping, Woolworths launches Dash, a same-day delivery service for extra customer convenience
2021
A WATERSHED MOMENT: THE INCLUSIVE JUSTICE INITIATIVE
As a 90-year-old brand with a history to prove its pioneering spirit, Woolworths is poised to take the lead on a whole new level with its Inclusive Justice Initiative
2021
For future generations: Woolworths announces the next set of bold sustainability targets set for 2025 and beyond
