Woolworths Group (Australia)

Woolworths Group Limited
Woolworths Limited (1924–2017)
Woolworths Group (2017–present)
Company typePublic
IndustryRetail
Founded22 September 1924 (1924-09-22)
FoundersPercy Christmas
Stanley Chatterton
Cecil Scott Waine
George Creed
Ernest Williams
Headquarters,
Australia
Number of locations
1,824 stores (2025)
Area served
Australia, New Zealand
Key people
Amanda Bardwell (CEO)
Scott Perkins (chairman)
Revenue A$67.92 billion (2024)
A$1.62 billion (2024)
A$117 million (2024)
Total assets A$33.94 billion (2024)
Total equity A$5.57 billion (2024)
Number of employees
201,000 (2024)
DivisionsSupermarkets (Woolworths, Metro Woolworths NZ)
General Merchandise (Big W)

Marketplace (MyDeal, Everyday Market, Big W Market)
Finance and loyalty (Everyday Rewards, Woolworths Financial)


SubsidiariesList of subsidiaries
Websitewww.woolworthsgroup.com.au

Woolworths Group Limited is an Australian multinational retail and finance company, primarily known for the operation of its retail chain Woolworths Supermarkets across Australia, Woolworths (previously known as Countdown) in New Zealand and its discount department store Big W. Headquartered in Bella Vista, Sydney, it is the largest company in Australia by revenue and number of employees, and the second-largest in New Zealand.

Founded in Sydney in 1924 as variety retailer Woolworths Limited, the company entered the New Zealand market in 1929 and has traded in every Australian state and territory since 1960. Woolworths experienced steady growth throughout the 20th century and began to diversify its business, closing the last of its variety stores in the 1980s to focus on its portfolio of other retail brands. Since 2012, Woolworths has undergone significant consolidation, divesting its shopping centre, electronics retailing, home improvement, fuel retailing, liquor retailing and hospitality businesses to concentrate on supermarket retail.

Woolworths currently owns Woolworths Supermarkets, customer loyalty program Everyday Rewards and discount department store Big W in Australia and the Woolworths NZ, SuperValue and FreshChoice supermarkets in New Zealand.