South African clothing retailer Woolworths’ operating group increased sales for the six months from July to December 2004 by 15,8% compared with the same period the previous year. Sales from comparable stores grew by 10,5%, the company said on Thursday.
Clothing and Home sales grew by 10,8% in total and by 8,4% in comparable stores, while Foods sales grew by 20,6% in total and by 12,8% in comparable stores, it said.
The average inflation for the period in corporate stores was 0,6% for Clothing and Home and 3,3% for Foods.
“Volumes therefore grew strongly in both divisions and were ahead of our targets,” the group said.
During the festive season itself, Food sales were ahead of expectations, while Clothing and Home were slightly below.
Sales for the Australian subsidiary Country Road, for the six months ending December 31 2004, were 4,6% higher than the same period last year. Average price deflation across apparel lines during the period were approximately 16%, which resulted in significant volume growth.
The group is due to release results for the 26-week period to December 26 2004 in mid-February. — I-Net Bridge