Woolworths Group reported a 15% rise in full-year attributable net profit before significant items, reaching A$1.60 billion for the 52 weeks ended June 28, compared with A$1.39 billion a year earlier. Group sales increased 3.6% to A$71.5 billion, supported by broad-based growth across its Australian operations.
Earnings before interest and tax before significant items rose 12.7% to A$3.11 billion, driven by stronger Australian Food performance and productivity improvements. The Australian Food segment recorded a 4.6% sales increase and an 8.5% rise in EBIT, while group e-commerce sales climbed 15.9%, reflecting gains in On Demand services and improved profitability.
Petstock, Woolworths' pet care business, posted a 33.5% increase in EBIT, contributing to the overall earnings growth. BIG W, the group's discount department store chain, returned to profitability during the period. The company declared a fully franked final dividend of 52 cents per share, bringing the full-year dividend to 97 cents, up 15.5% from the prior year.
Shares in Woolworths rose 4.7% to A$40.68 by 00:26 GMT on Wednesday, outperforming the broader market. Early indicators for fiscal 2027 suggest continued momentum, with Australian Food sales up 7.6% in the first eight weeks of the year. The company noted that Disney Ooshies collectibles contributed an estimated 1.5 to 2 percentage points to this growth.
Woolworths acknowledged that household budget pressures may persist, but expects its focus on value to sustain customer demand. The group maintained its strategy of balancing price competitiveness with operational efficiency to support long-term growth.
