Sydney, June 22, 2026, 03:05 (AEST)
- Woolworths ended Friday at A$38.32, up 0.52% for the day and A$0.18 under its 52-week high. Over the week, the stock was flat.
- The stock held up as the S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.92% on Friday to 8,828.70. The index still finished 0.3% higher for the week.
- Australia is set to publish May inflation data on Wednesday. Labour market and household spending data are due Thursday, according to the .
Woolworths hovers near one-year high as ASX awaits open Woolworths Group trades close to a one-year high going into Monday. Shares held up on Friday, even as the broader market fell. The ASX cash market is still closed, with trading set to start at 10 a.m. Woolworths’ investor page keeps its April 30 third-quarter sales numbers up as its most recent update.
That brings Woolworths back to a known squeeze. The group has to hold prices low to keep shoppers coming, but that can eat into profit. In April, Woolworths cut its forecast for Australian Food earnings growth, saying it would miss the top of its earlier range. The company cited higher fuel costs and spending to hold on to customers.
Group third-quarter sales climbed 4.5% to A$18.1 billion, as underlying sales recovery held steady. Australian Food sales were up 5.9%. The company said average prices dropped from a year ago after price investment, so revenue growth was driven by higher volumes rather than just inflation.
Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell told investors back in February, “Customers want value but they also want reliable value.” RBC Capital Markets’ Michael Toner said the half-year Australian Food sales numbers were “the strongest number we have seen in some time from WOW.” The company later said it would freeze prices on 300 own-brand or exclusive staples for three months from May 1. Woolworths also said it would absorb supplier cost increases on those products. Reuters
Woolworths is also cutting costs in its recovery. The company wants to move hundreds of jobs offshore across its people, tech and finance groups, the ABC said this month. The changes are aimed at taking A$400 million out of support-office expenses. Shares rose after news of the plan.
Coles posted quarterly supermarket revenue up 4.0% and online sales up 24.8%. CEO Leah Weckert described the results as “another strong sales result.” She pointed to progress on value, digital, and customer retention—key areas where Woolworths’ top competitor is still pushing hard. Competition is keeping the pressure on, with no room to ease up.
Data due this week may push things either way. A higher Consumer Price Index, the key inflation gauge, might mean more pressure on freight, packaging and suppliers. But if household spending stays weak—down 1.1% in April, a bigger drop than forecast—that suggests shoppers are still careful on prices.
But risks for supermarkets aren’t only about demand and costs. A new ban on excessive pricing starts July 1. The ACCC is also accusing Woolworths of misleading customers with “Prices Dropped” ads on 266 products, an accusation Woolworths disputes. Last month, Coles was found to have misled people with its own discounts. The two cases are separate, but the Coles outcome has increased the regulatory pressure on the sector. Gov
Woolworths is pushing up near A$38.50, so the bar for gains is higher now. To hold above that price, the market may want to see softer inflation, steady demand or clearer proof that office savings can make up for weaker pricing. The company’s next big event is its full-year results on August 26.
