With the ACCC set to deliver its final report into the supermarkets and pricing practices at the end of the month, and 1H25 earnings expected to be below the forecast $1.65 billion, Woolworths Group says the restructure of its Food leadership and organisational structure will allow a greater focus on the areas that “have the most impact for customers”.
The group is combining its Supermarkets, Metro, Greenstock (red meat supply business) and Food Company Retail (Own Brand) business units into one, Woolworths Retail.
Woolworths Group CEO and managing director, Amanda Bardwell, said combining the four units meant the company would “be able to enhance the role our retail food stores and own brand play in meeting the needs of our customers”.
“Our Woolworths Retail business is the cornerstone of our Group and critical to our success. Getting it right for our customers starts with our team and we are taking the opportunity to simplify the way we work to create the biggest impact for our customers,” Bardwell said.
Head of Woolworths supply chain business Primary Connect, Annette Karantoni, has been appointed managing director of Woolworths Retail.
At Primary Connect, Karantoni led the transformation of the company’s New South Wales supply chain, “the group’s largest strategic investment to date”.
Karantoni has worked at Woolworths for more than 20 years, with senior leadership roles in Australian Food in eCommerce, Buying, Marketing and Replenishment.
Director of Stores, Jeanette Fenske, and chief commercial officer, Paul Harker, will continue in their existing roles as part of Retail’s leadership team, reporting to Karantoni. They had been leading Woolworths Supermarkets on an interim basis.
“I would like to thank Jeanette and Paul and the broader leadership team for their important contribution over the last few months,” Bardwell said.
In New Zealand, Sally Copland will replace Spencer Sonn as managing director, Woolworths New Zealand, following Sonn’s decision to return to South Africa. Copland has been at Woolworths for more than 18 years including interim managing director, head of eCommerce, Brand, and CountdownX teams.
Bardwell said Copland’s experience “in Australia and New Zealand across many parts of our food businesses makes her ideally suited to lead Woolworths New Zealand in its continuing transformation.
“I would also like to thank Spencer for his leadership in a very challenging environment and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
