Impact of the Economy
Full year sales throughout Woolworths supermarkets, liquor stores and petrol stations increased
by 4.9% from AU$45 312 billion in 2011 to AU$55 130 billion in 2012. Sales in the Supermarket division totalled to AU$48 564 billion in 2012 which is an increase of 4.9% from AU$46 312 billion in 2011. Petrol sales for the full year were AU$6 714 billion in 2012 which is an increase of 11.4% compared to AU$6 025 billion 2011. Woolworths opened 18 new petrol stations during 2012, bringing the total to 599 sites. Sales of liquor increased by 3.8% from AU$36 176 billion 2011 to AU$37
549 billion in 2012.
In October 2012, Woolworths released positive first quarter sales from operations in their supermarket and liquor division. Figures had increased to $12 993 million from $12 564 million in the
corresponding period last year. This is an increase of 4.6%. The sales growth is due to the new Western Australian Sunday trading hours (7 days a week) which commenced at the end of August 2012 and national promotions such as “Lamb Cuts for Less”. Woolworths’ CEO Grant O’Brien stated “This was a pleasing start to the year with momentum created towards the end of the last financial year continuing through the first quarter. While we have made progress against our strategic priorities, there is still a great deal to do in our business transformation program”.
Woolworths has a wide range of employees, employing 190 000 people nationally in stores, distribution centres and support offices. In 2010, Woolworths invested $63 million into learning and development initiatives for staff. This included training programs, training for new employees and
leadership programs for managers and executives. Woolworths offers apprenticeships especially in the butcher division. Apprenticeships are completed over three to four years through a
combination of on-site training in stores and off-site training at TAFE colleges. In order to reinforce
the importance of fresh food, Woolworths provided “Fresh” training to employees. It was the largest
training processes coordinated by Woolworths and involved 3000 workshops for 75 000 staff members. This training provided confidence and extensive understanding of fresh food in order to offer quality customer service.
The nature of Woolworths’employment has changes over time, with employing more women. Woolworths aim to have a 33% representation of women at board level and within senior executive group by 2015. Throughout 2011 and 2012, women representation rates across the company
has remained at 27%.
Full year sales throughout Woolworths supermarkets, liquor stores and petrol stations increased
by 4.9% from AU$45 312 billion in 2011 to AU$55 130 billion in 2012. Sales in the Supermarket division totalled to AU$48 564 billion in 2012 which is an increase of 4.9% from AU$46 312 billion in 2011. Petrol sales for the full year were AU$6 714 billion in 2012 which is an increase of 11.4% compared to AU$6 025 billion 2011. Woolworths opened 18 new petrol stations during 2012, bringing the total to 599 sites. Sales of liquor increased by 3.8% from AU$36 176 billion 2011 to AU$37
549 billion in 2012.
In October 2012, Woolworths released positive first quarter sales from operations in their supermarket and liquor division. Figures had increased to $12 993 million from $12 564 million in the
corresponding period last year. This is an increase of 4.6%. The sales growth is due to the new Western Australian Sunday trading hours (7 days a week) which commenced at the end of August 2012 and national promotions such as “Lamb Cuts for Less”. Woolworths’ CEO Grant O’Brien stated “This was a pleasing start to the year with momentum created towards the end of the last financial year continuing through the first quarter. While we have made progress against our strategic priorities, there is still a great deal to do in our business transformation program”.
Woolworths has a wide range of employees, employing 190 000 people nationally in stores, distribution centres and support offices. In 2010, Woolworths invested $63 million into learning and development initiatives for staff. This included training programs, training for new employees and
leadership programs for managers and executives. Woolworths offers apprenticeships especially in the butcher division. Apprenticeships are completed over three to four years through a
combination of on-site training in stores and off-site training at TAFE colleges. In order to reinforce
the importance of fresh food, Woolworths provided “Fresh” training to employees. It was the largest
training processes coordinated by Woolworths and involved 3000 workshops for 75 000 staff members. This training provided confidence and extensive understanding of fresh food in order to offer quality customer service.
The nature of Woolworths’employment has changes over time, with employing more women. Woolworths aim to have a 33% representation of women at board level and within senior executive group by 2015. Throughout 2011 and 2012, women representation rates across the company
has remained at 27%.