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Thu 16 Feb 2006, 8:00 Woolworths - Unaudited Group Results For The Twent
WHL
 WOWOW                                                                           
Woolworths - Unaudited Group Results For The Twenty-Six Weeks Ended December    
             2005                                                               
Woolworths Holdings Limited                                                     
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
Registration number: 1929/001986/06                                             
Share code: WHL     ISIN: ZAE000063863                                          
("Woolworths" or "the company")                                                 
UNAUDITED GROUP RESULTS FOR THE TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED DECEMBER 2005            
HIGHLIGHTS                                                                      
* Revenue up 16.7%                                                              
* Operating profit up    19.6%                                                  
* HEPS up     19.6%                                                             
* Dividend per                                                                  
* share up    29.7%                                                             
* ROE up to   37.2%                                                             
Income statement                                                                
                                                                 Year ended     
                                                               30 June 2005     
                                                                   Restated     
Rm     
Revenue                                                            12 988.9     
Turnover                                                           12 220.7     
Cost of merchandise                                                 8 207.6     
Gross profit                                                        4 013.1     
Other revenue                                                         768.2     
Expenses                                                            3 550.0     
Depreciation                                                          254.5     
Occupancy cost                                                        609.8     
Employment cost                                                     1 460.0     
Other operating cost                                                1 225.7     
Operating profit                                                    1 231.3     
Finance costs                                                         152.7     
Net profit before tax                                               1 078.6     
Tax                                                                   299.5     
Net profit after tax                                                  779.1     
Attributable to:                                                                
Ordinary shareholders                                                 776.9     
Outside shareholders                                                    2.2     
Reconciliation of headline earnings                                             
Attributable earnings                                                 776.9     
(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant                                    
and equipment net of outside shareholders" interest                     0.9     
Profit on disposal of investment in unit trust                        (7.9)     
Reversal of provision for impairment of property                     (15.5)     
Provision for impairment of plant and equipment                         0.5     
Foreign exchange loss realised on repayment of loan                             
by subsidiary                                                           4.1     
Headline earnings                                                     759.0     
Headline earnings per share (cents)                                    89.4     
Earnings per share (cents)                                             91.5     
Diluted headline earnings per share (cents)                            87.3     
21.8%                                                                           
Diluted earnings per share (cents)                                     89.4     
Distribution per share (cents)                                         54.0     
Distribution cover (based on earnings per share)                        1.7     
Number of shares in issue (millions)                                  787.2     
Weighted average number of shares in issue (millions)                 849.4     
GROUP ANALYSIS                                                                  
Revenue                                                                         
Turnover                                                           12 220.7     
Woolworths                                                         11 238.6     
- Clothing and home                                                 5 349.5     
- Food                                                              5 666.0     
- Logistics services and other                                        223.1     
Country Road                                                          982.1     
Interest                                                              641.7     
Other revenue                                                         126.5     
12 988.9     
Operating profit                                                                
Woolworths                                                          1 206.9     
Country Road                                                           24.4     
1 231.3     
                                                  26 weeks ended                
                                                    December                    
                                                    Restated                    
2005        2004          %     
                                  Notes           Rm          Rm     Change     
Revenue                                      7 415.3     6 353.1      16.7%     
Turnover                                     6 995.0     6 016.6      16.3%     
Cost of merchandise                          4 710.1     4 036.0      16.7%     
Gross profit                                 2 284.9     1 980.6      15.4%     
Other revenue                                  420.3       336.5      24.9%     
Expenses                                     1 974.9     1 706.7      15.7%     
Depreciation                                   132.9       123.6       7.5%     
Occupancy cost                                 337.2       302.3      11.5%     
Employment cost                                805.1       705.4      14.1%     
Other operating cost                           699.7       575.4      21.6%     
Operating profit                               730.3       610.4      19.6%     
Finance costs                                  113.8        62.0      83.5%     
Net profit before tax                          616.5       548.4      12.4%     
Tax                                    3       194.2       161.0      20.6%     
Net profit after tax                           422.3       387.4       9.0%     
Attributable to:                                                                
Ordinary shareholders                          421.3       386.7       8.9%     
Outside shareholders                             1.0         0.7      42.9%     
Reconciliation of headline earnings                                             
Attributable earnings                          421.3       386.7       8.9%     
(Profit)/loss on disposal of                                                    
property, plant                                                                 
and equipment net of outside                                                    
shareholders" interest                                     (2.2)      (0.6)     
Profit on disposal of investment in                                             
unit trust                                                     -          -     
Reversal of provision for                                                       
impairment of property                                         -          -     
Provision for impairment of plant                                               
and equipment                                                  -          -     
Foreign exchange loss realised on                                               
repayment of loan                                                               
by subsidiary                                      -           -                
Headline earnings                              419.1       386.1       8.5%     
Headline earnings per share (cents)             53.1        44.4      19.6%     
Earnings per share (cents)                      53.3        44.5      19.8%     
Diluted headline earnings per share                                             
(cents)                                4                    51.9       42.6     
Diluted earnings per share (cents)     4        52.2        42.7      22.2%     
Distribution per share (cents)                  24.0        18.5      29.7%     
Distribution cover (based on                                                    
earnings per share)                                          2.2        2.4     
Number of shares in issue (millions)           796.2       870.7     (8.6%)     
Weighted average number of shares                                               
in issue (millions)                            789.8       869.7     (9.2%)     
GROUP ANALYSIS                                                                  
Revenue                                                                         
Turnover                                     6 995.0     6 016.6      16.3%     
Woolworths                                   6 488.9     5 546.0      17.0%     
- Clothing and home                          3 024.4     2 685.6      12.6%     
- Food                                       3 329.1     2 753.1      20.9%     
- Logistics services and other                 135.4       107.3      26.2%     
Country Road                                   506.1       470.6       7.5%     
Interest                                       348.6       288.6      20.8%     
Other revenue                                   71.7        47.9      49.7%     
                                             7 415.3     6 353.1      16.7%     
Operating profit                                                                
Woolworths                                     720.1       602.4      19.5%     
Country Road                                    10.2         8.0      27.5%     
                                               730.3       610.4      19.6%     
Balance sheet                                                                   
                                                                      As at     
30 June 2005     
                                                                   Restated     
                                                                         Rm     
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                                                  2 002.0     
Property, plant and equipment                                       1 304.0     
Investment property                                                    72.2     
Investments                                                             2.6     
Loans to customers                                                    203.9     
Participation in export partnerships                                   79.3     
Other loans                                                           146.9     
Deferred tax                                                          193.1     
Current assets                                                      5 137.1     
Inventories                                                           683.0     
Woolworths card debtors                                             2 590.8     
Credit card receivables                                               309.6     
Accounts receivable                                                   788.4     
Loans to customers                                                    539.8     
Cash                                                                  225.5     
Total assets                                                        7 139.1     
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                          
Capital and reserves                                                2 210.9     
Ordinary shareholders" interest                                     2 184.7     
Outside shareholders" interest                                         26.2     
Non-current liabilities                                             3 088.7     
Interest-bearing borrowings                                         2 400.0     
Operating lease accrual                                               417.3     
Post-retirement medical aid liability                                 181.3     
Deferred tax                                                           90.1     
Current liabilities                                                 1 839.5     
Accounts payable                                                    1 519.8     
Provisions                                                            117.5     
Interest-bearing borrowings                                           202.2     
Total equity and liabilities                                        7 139.1     
Net asset book value - per share (cents)                              277.5     
GROUP ANALYSIS                                                                  
Total assets                                                        7 139.1     
Woolworths                                                          6 754.4     
Country Road                                                          384.7     
Inventories                                                           683.0     
Woolworths                                                            563.0     
Country Road                                                          120.0     
Approved commitments for capital                                                
expenditure                                                           643.2     
Woolworths                                                            598.2     
Country Road                                                           45.0     
                                                                    As at       
                                                                  December      
Restated       
                                                           2005        2004     
                                                             Rm          Rm     
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                                      2 190.9     1 998.8     
Property, plant and equipment                           1 421.2     1 262.4     
Investment property                                        72.2        56.7     
Investments                                                 2.6        24.2     
Loans to customers                                        228.6       192.8     
Participation in export partnerships                       62.4       164.4     
Other loans                                               191.7       164.7     
Deferred tax                                              212.2       133.6     
Current assets                                          5 808.4     4 772.6     
Inventories                                               865.7       801.4     
Woolworths card debtors                                 2 788.7     2 466.1     
Credit card receivables                                   405.5       233.7     
Accounts receivable                                       877.9       604.7     
Loans to customers                                        587.8       495.8     
Cash                                                      282.8       170.9     
Total assets                                            7 999.3     6 771.4     
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                                                          
Capital and reserves                                    2 343.3     2 914.9     
Ordinary shareholders" interest                         2 316.2     2 893.9     
Outside shareholders" interest                             27.1        21.0     
Non-current liabilities                                 3 098.6     1 209.3     
Interest-bearing borrowings                             2 400.0       500.0     
Operating lease accrual                                   428.3       404.1     
Post-retirement medical aid liability                     193.2       169.5     
Deferred tax                                               77.1       135.7     
Current liabilities                                     2 557.4     2 647.2     
Accounts payable                                        1 969.1     1 523.3     
Provisions                                                105.5        95.2     
Interest-bearing borrowings                               482.8     1 028.7     
Total equity and liabilities                            7 999.3     6 771.4     
Net asset book value - per share (cents)                  290.9       332.4     
GROUP ANALYSIS                                                                  
Total assets                                            7 999.3     6 758.3     
Woolworths                                              7 610.5     6 390.4     
Country Road                                              388.8       367.9     
Inventories                                               865.7       801.4     
Woolworths                                                711.0       705.4     
Country Road                                              154.7        96.0     
Approved commitments for capital                                                
expenditure                                               448.8       141.6     
Woolworths                                                442.0       127.5     
Country Road                                                6.8        14.1     
statement of changes in equity                                                  
                                                                 Year ended     
30 June 2005     
                                                                   Restated     
                                                                         Rm     
Shareholders" interest at the beginning                                         
of the period                                                       2 708.1     
Movements for the period:                                                       
Issue of shares                                                        63.2     
Share repurchase                                                  (1 002.0)     
Cost of capital restructuring                                        (18.4)     
Recognised gains and losses                                           460.0     
Distributable reserves                                                418.5     
Net profit for the period                                             779.1     
Distributions to shareholders                                       (384.2)     
Net fair value adjustments on financial                                         
instruments                                                            13.2     
Share-based payments                                                   10.4     
Non-distributable reserves                                                      
Exchange differences on translation of                                          
foreign operations                                                     41.5     
Shareholders" interest at the end of the                                        
period                                                              2 210.9     
                                                 Ordinary           Outside     
                                            shareholders"     shareholders"     
                                                 interest          interest     
Rm                Rm     
Shareholders" interest at the beginning                                         
of the period                                     2 184.7              26.2     
Movements for the period:                                                       
Issue of shares                                      48.3                 -     
Share repurchase                                        -                 -     
Cost of capital restructuring                           -                 -     
Recognised gains and losses                          83.2               0.9     
Distributable reserves                              134.9               1.0     
Net profit for the period                           421.3               1.0     
Distributions to shareholders                     (282.3)                 -     
Net fair value adjustments on financial                                         
instruments                                        (12.2)                 -     
Share-based payments                                  8.1                 -     
Non-distributable reserves                                                      
Exchange differences on translation of                                          
foreign operations                                 (51.7)             (0.1)     
Shareholders" interest at the end of the                                        
period                                            2 316.2              27.1     
                                                         26 weeks ended         
December           
                                                         Total     Restated     
                                                          2005         2004     
                                                            Rm           Rm     
Shareholders" interest at the beginning                                         
of the period                                          2 210.9      2 708.1     
Movements for the period:                                                       
Issue of shares                                           48.3         46.4     
Share repurchase                                             -            -     
Cost of capital restructuring                                -            -     
Recognised gains and losses                               84.1        160.4     
Distributable reserves                                   135.9        165.6     
Net profit for the period                                422.3        387.4     
Distributions to shareholders                          (282.3)      (221.8)     
Net fair value adjustments on financial                                         
instruments                                             (12.2)        (4.8)     
Share-based payments                                       8.1          4.8     
Non-distributable reserves                                                      
Exchange differences on translation of                                          
foreign operations                                      (51.8)        (5.2)     
Shareholders" interest at the end of the                                        
period                                                 2 343.3      2 914.9     
Cash flow statement                                                             
                                                                 Year ended     
30 June 2005     
                                                                   Restated     
                                                                         Rm     
Cash flow from operating activities                                             
Cash inflow from trading                                              996.5     
Working capital movements                                           (228.4)     
Cash applied to financial services assets                           (722.0)     
Cash generated/(utilised) by operating activities                      46.1     
Interest received                                                     638.0     
Finance costs paid                                                  (149.9)     
Tax paid                                                            (314.6)     
Cash generated/(utilised) by operations                               219.6     
Distributions to shareholders                                       (384.2)     
Net cash outflow from operating activities                          (164.6)     
Cash outflow from investing activities                              (312.6)     
Cash flow from financing activities                                             
Shares issued                                                          63.2     
Term borrowings raised                                                500.0     
Repurchase of shares                                              (1 002.0)     
Notes issued                                                        1 900.0     
Capital restructuring costs                                          (18.4)     
Net cash inflow from financing activities                           1 442.8     
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents                      965.6     
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period            (949.9)     
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes                                 7.6     
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period                     23.3     
GROUP ANALYSIS                                                                  
Cash inflow from trading                                              996.5     
Woolworths                                                            952.1     
Country Road                                                           44.4     
                                                            26 weeks ended      
                                                               December         
Restated         
                                                           2005        2004     
                                                             Rm          Rm     
Cash flow from operating activities                                             
Cash inflow from trading                                  515.1       494.8     
Working capital movements                                  90.0     (118.1)     
Cash applied to financial services assets               (336.7)     (456.4)     
Cash generated/(utilised) by operating activities         268.4      (79.7)     
Interest received                                         348.6       287.5     
Finance costs paid                                      (115.7)      (62.0)     
Tax paid                                                (228.9)     (170.3)     
Cash generated/(utilised) by operations                   272.4      (24.5)     
Distributions to shareholders                           (282.3)     (221.8)     
Net cash outflow from operating activities                (9.9)     (246.3)     
Cash outflow from investing activities                  (254.4)     (207.2)     
Cash flow from financing activities                                             
Shares issued                                              48.3        46.4     
Term borrowings raised                                        -       500.0     
Repurchase of shares                                          -           -     
Notes issued                                                  -           -     
Capital restructuring costs                                   -           -     
Net cash inflow from financing activities                  48.3       546.4     
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents        (216.0)        92.9     
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period   23.3     (949.9)     
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes                   (7.3)       (0.8)     
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period      (200.0)     (857.8)     
GROUP ANALYSIS                                                                  
Cash inflow from trading                                  515.1       494.8     
Woolworths                                                506.9       468.6     
Country Road                                                8.2        26.2     
Segmental analysis                                                              
                                                                 Year ended     
30 June 2005     
                                                                   Restated     
                                                                         Rm     
Revenue                                                                         
Retail                                                                          
Woolworths                                                         11 288.4     
Country Road                                                          995.1     
Financial services                                                    773.9     
Intragroup                                                           (68.5)     
Total group                                                        12 988.9     
Net profit before tax                                                           
Retail                                                                          
Woolworths                                                            858.7     
Country Road                                                           20.7     
Financial services                                                    199.2     
Total group                                                         1 078.6     
Capital and reserves                                                            
Retail                                                                          
Woolworths                                                            984.4     
Country Road                                                          234.2     
Financial services                                                    992.3     
Total group                                                         2 210.9     
Return on Equity                                                                
                                                                          %     
Retail                                                                          
Woolworths                                                             71.7     
Country Road                                                           10.3     
Financial services                                                      9.5     
Total group                                                            31.2     
                                                            26 weeks ended      
                                                               December         
                                                               Restated         
2005        2004           %     
                                                 Rm          Rm      Change     
Revenue                                                                         
Retail                                                                          
Woolworths                                  6 511.2     5 559.1       17.1%     
Country Road                                  510.8       474.4        7.7%     
Financial services                            430.0       354.3       21.4%     
Intragroup                                   (36.7)      (34.7)                 
Total group                                 7 415.3     6 353.1       16.7%     
Net profit before tax                                                           
Retail                                                                          
Woolworths                                    532.7       441.3       20.7%     
Country Road                                    8.0         6.1       31.1%     
Financial services                             75.8       101.0     (25.0%)     
Total group                                   616.5       548.4       12.4%     
Capital and reserves                                                            
Retail                                                                          
Woolworths                                  1 003.8       879.5       14.1%     
Country Road                                  199.1       188.4        5.7%     
Financial services                          1 140.4     1 847.0     (38.3%)     
Total group                                 2 343.3     2 914.9     (19.6%)     
Return on Equity                                                                
                                                  %           %                 
Retail                                                                          
Woolworths                                     72.0        75.9                 
Country Road                                    7.7         6.8                 
Financial services                             10.1         8.2                 
Total group                                    37.2        27.6                 
Notes                                                                           
1.    BASIS OF PREPARATION AND IFRS ADOPTION                                    
      The interim financial statements comply with IAS 34 (AC127) of            
      International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).                       
In accordance with the Listing Requirements of the JSE Limited the group  
      is adopting IFRS with effect from 1 July 2005. As the group publishes     
      comparative information in its financial statements, the date of          
      transition to IFRS is 1 July 2004, which represents the start of the      
earliest period of comparative information presented. The financial       
      information has been prepared in accordance with IFRS and interpretations 
      in effect on 1 July 2005.                                                 
      Accounting policies used are consistent with those used in the published  
June 2005 annual financial statements, except where accounting policies   
      have changed as a result of the first-time adoption of IFRS as noted      
      below.                                                                    
      1.1   Foreign currency translations                                       
Foreign operations are subsidiaries of the group based in a country 
            or currency other than that of the holding company.                 
            Foreign operations are translated from their functional currency    
            into South African Rands at the rates of exchange ruling at the     
balance sheet date in respect of balance sheet items, and at an     
            average rate per month in respect of income statement items. Gains  
            and losses on the translation of foreign operations" balance sheet  
            items are taken directly to non-distributable reserves.             
The change in translation method for foreign subsidiaries has       
            resulted in a reclassification of foreign exchange losses between   
            retained profits and the foreign currency translation reserve, both 
            of which form part of equity.                                       
1.2   Property, plant and equipment                                       
            The useful lives and residual values of assets are reviewed         
            annually. This requirement has resulted in a lower depreciation     
            charge and a reversal of accumulated depreciation.                  
1.3   Investment property                                                 
            Property which the group holds to earn rental income or for capital 
            appreciation is classified as investment property.                  
            Investment properties are initially recognised at cost.             
Subsequently they are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation  
            and any impairment in value.                                        
            Transfers are made from or to investment properties when there is a 
            change in use of the property.                                      
1.4   Financial instruments                                               
            Financial assets are subject to impairment when there is objective  
            evidence that a loss event has impacted the estimated future cash   
            flows to be received from that asset.                               
1.5   Transitional arrangements                                           
            IFRS 1 - First-time adoption of IFRS requires full retrospective    
            application of the standards with the exception of certain optional 
            and mandatory exemptions. The exemptions as noted below have been   
elected.                                                            
            1.5.1 Employee benefits - Previously unrecognised actuarial losses  
                  of R7.3m relating to the post- retirement medical aid         
                  liability have been included in the liability at the          
transition date.                                              
            1.5.2 Business combinations - The group has elected not to revisit  
                  the fair values and goodwill estimation of past business      
                  combinations.                                                 
1.5.3 Share-based payments are expensed from 1 July 2004 onward.    
IFRS IMPACT ON REPORTED BALANCE SHEETS                                          
                                                                  Effect on     
                                                                     assets     
Notes            Rm     
Transition date 1 July 2004                                                     
Employee benefits                                       1.5.1           2.1     
Property, plant and equipment                             1.2          52.1     
Impairment of financial services assets                   1.4          52.0     
Foreign currency translations                             1.1           7.1     
                                                                      113.3     
Year ended June 2005                                                            
Employee benefits                                       1.5.1           2.1     
Property, plant and equipment                             1.2          57.9     
Impairment of financial services assets                   1.4          33.9     
Foreign currency translations                             1.1           7.9     
101.8     
Interim period ended December 2004                                              
Employee benefits                                       1.5.1           2.1     
Property, plant and equipment                             1.2          55.6     
Impairment of financial services assets                   1.4          43.5     
Foreign currency translations                             1.1           7.6     
                                                                      108.8     
                                                    Effect on     Effect on     
liabilities        equity     
                                                           Rm            Rm     
Transition date 1 July 2004                                                     
Employee benefits                                         7.3         (5.2)     
Property, plant and equipment                               -          52.1     
Impairment of financial services assets                     -          52.0     
Foreign currency translations                               -           7.1     
                                                          7.3         106.0     
Year ended June 2005                                                            
Employee benefits                                         7.3         (5.2)     
Property, plant and equipment                               -          57.9     
Impairment of financial services assets                     -          33.9     
Foreign currency translations                               -           7.9     
                                                          7.3          94.5     
Interim period ended December 2004                                              
Employee benefits                                         7.3         (5.2)     
Property, plant and equipment                               -          55.6     
Impairment of financial services assets                     -          43.5     
Foreign currency translations                               -           7.6     
                                                          7.3         101.5     
IFRS IMPACT ON REPORTED RESULTS                                                 
                                                       Net profit               
                                                       before tax       Tax     
                                             Notes             Rm        Rm     
Year ended June 2005                                                            
Share-based payments                         1.5.3         (10.4)         -     
Property, plant and equipment                  1.2            7.6         -     
Impairment of financial services assets        1.4         (25.6)     (7.4)     
Foreign currency translations                  1.1            2.7       0.8     
                                                           (25.7)     (6.6)     
Interim period ended December 2004                                              
Share-based payments                         1.5.3          (4.8)         -     
Property, plant and equipment                  1.2            3.5         -     
Impairment of financial services assets        1.4         (11.1)     (3.3)     
Foreign currency translations                  1.1            1.6       0.5     
                                                           (10.8)     (2.8)     
Outside     Attributable     
                                              shareholders           profit     
                                                        Rm               Rm     
Year ended June 2005                                                            
Share-based payments                                     -           (10.4)     
Property, plant and equipment                            -              7.6     
Impairment of financial services assets                  -           (18.2)     
Foreign currency translations                            -              1.9     
-           (19.1)     
Interim period ended December 2004                                              
Share-based payments                                     -            (4.8)     
Property, plant and equipment                            -              3.5     
Impairment of financial services assets                  -            (7.8)     
Foreign currency translations                            -              1.1     
                                                         -            (8.0)     
IFRS AUDIT OPINION                                                              
The preliminary IFRS financial information as at 30 June 2005 has been audited. 
A copy of the unqualified Special Purpose Audit Report of the joint auditors,   
Ernst & Young and SAB & T Inc., is available for inspection at the registered   
office of the company.                                                          
2.    Change in comparative period classifications and disclosures              
Certain operational costs of the distribution subsidiary have been reclassified 
from cost of sales to other operating costs.                                    
      The 2005 reclassification amounts to R103.4m which has the effect of      
increasing gross margin to 32.7% from 31.2% as would have been previously 
      stated.                                                                   
      Operating leases - In accordance with guidance provided by Circular       
      7/2005 released by SAICA, operating lease expenses are recognised on a    
straight-line basis over the term of the lease.                           
      The effect on profit was R11.7m net of deferred tax at the prevailing     
      rate.                                                                     
3.    The tax rate of 31.5% (2004: 29.4%) is the estimated average annual       
effective income tax rate of 29.0% (2004: 29.4%) plus Secondary Tax on    
      Companies (STC) on the dividend portion of the final distribution for     
      the June 2005 year, paid in September 2005.                               
4.    The difference between earnings per share and diluted earnings per share  
results from outstanding options.                                         
5.    Unutilised banking facilities amount to R1 971.4m (2004: R1 391.9m). In   
      terms of the Articles of Association, there is no limit on the group"s    
      authority to raise interest-bearing debt.                                 
COMMENTARY                                                                      
GROUP RESULTS                                                                   
The board wishes to announce another set of solid results. The headline         
earnings per share for the twenty-six weeks to December 2005 increased 19.6%    
(23.9% prior to the non-comparable STC payment) from 44.4 cents to 53.1 cents   
per share. The return on equity grew to 37.2% from 27.6%. A dividend of 24.0    
cents per share has been declared representing an increase of 29.7% over the    
same period last year. The uplift in the level of the dividend reflects the     
decision of the board to increase the proportion of the dividend payable at the 
interim period. For the full financial year we aim to maintain the dividend     
cover at around 1.7 times earnings.                                             
TRADING ENVIRONMENT                                                             
In South Africa the retail environment remained robust due to stable interest   
rates, low inflation, continued growth of the emerging black market and an      
increase in consumers" real disposable income. This trend is expected to        
continue.                                                                       
FINANCIAL REVIEW                                                                
Group revenue has increased by 16.7% to R7.4bn.                                 
Operating profit for the group increased by 19.6% to R730.3m with an            
improvement in operating margin from 9.6% to 9.8%. This has been achieved       
despite our investment in initiatives which are designed to enhance future      
growth including the World of Difference loyalty programme, an accelerated      
store development plan and a customer service improvement project.              
The group"s gross profit percentage decreased from 32.9% to 32.7% as a result   
of the change in mix of our different businesses.                               
The share repurchase in March 2005 has resulted in an increase in borrowings    
over the same period last year and a substantial increase in finance costs. The 
positive effect of the capital restructuring is reflected in the increase in    
headline earnings per share and an enhanced return on equity.                   
Headline earnings per share has been impacted by 1.9 cents per share due to an  
increase in the effective tax rate as a result of STC payable on the dividend   
paid in September 2005. The comparative effective tax rate for the year will be 
further impacted by the STC payable on the dividend in March 2006.              
WOOLWORTHS OPERATING REVIEW                                                     
RETAIL                                                                          
Clothing and home grew sales by 12.6% in total and 8.2% in comparable stores,   
with an average deflation rate of approximately 2.3%. There was good growth in  
womenswear, attributable to the successful implementation of our new design-led 
process, which ensures that our offering meets the taste requirements of both   
our modern and classic customers. This process is currently being rolled out to 
other departments. Childrenswear also experienced good growth by providing      
improved value and a better range structuring.                                  
Food continued to perform exceptionally well and sales grew by 20.9% in total   
and 12.2% in comparable stores, with an average inflation rate of approximately 
3.7%. Our strong growth is driven by our convenient locations and our continual 
focus on offering our customers differentiated products.                        
In corporate stores we expanded our trading space by 4.2% in clothing and home  
and 6.5% in food over the period.                                               
FINANCIAL SERVICES                                                              
Our in-store card, credit card and personal loan books grew by 19.3% for the    
twelve months to December 2005. The net bad debt experience on the combined     
books increased to 2.8% of advances due to a planned extension of our credit    
limits. Overall operating profit increased from R161.1m to R187.3m. Net profit  
before tax decreased from R101.0m to R75.8m due to the increase in finance      
costs, arising from the restructure of the balance sheet.                       
COUNTRY ROAD OPERATING REVIEW                                                   
Retail sales were 6.7% higher in Australian dollar terms than the same period   
last year, with comparable store growth of 5.9%. There was a strong increase in 
unit sales growth which was achieved by an ongoing focus on improving value, to 
make the business more accessible to a broader range of customers. Overall      
total sales increased 1.0% from the same period last year. We are pleased to    
note that retail represents a higher proportion of sales in line with our       
strategy.                                                                       
Net profit before tax increased from A$1.4m to A$2.3m.                          
GROUP PROSPECTS                                                                 
Given the current trading environment we expect to deliver another year of      
solid growth in headline earnings per share, after adjusting for the            
non-comparable STC payments.                                                    
EMPOWERMENT PLANS                                                               
Woolworths is committed to black economic empowerment (BEE) and is currently    
evaluating its empowerment initiatives in terms of the recently published       
codes. Woolworths supports the broad-based ownership approach favoured by the   
Department of Trade and Industry and as such is developing plans around BEE     
ownership, which will be presented to shareholders for approval at the          
forthcoming annual general meeting.                                             
CHANGE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS                                                
On 25 November 2005 Nolitha Fakude resigned from the board due to her executive 
director commitments. We would like to thank her for the meaningful             
contribution she made to the group.                                             
DA Hawton                      SN Susman                                        
Chairman                       Chief executive officer                          
Cape Town                                                                       
16 February 2006                                                                
DIVIDEND PAYMENT                                                                
Notice is hereby given that the directors declared an interim dividend of 24.0  
cents per share for the six months ended December 2005.                         
The important dates in March 2006 will be as follows:                           
Last day to trade to receive dividend                          Friday, 3 March  
Shares commence trading "ex" dividend                          Monday, 6 March  
Record date                                                   Friday, 10 March  
Payment date                                                  Monday, 13 March  
Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Monday,  
6 March 2006 and Friday, 10 March 2006, both days inclusive.                    
CL Lowe                                                                         
Group secretary                                                                 
Cape Town 16 February 2006                                                      
DIRECTORATE AND STATUTORY INFORMATION                                           
Non-executive directors: Buddy Hawton (Chairman), Mair Barnes (British),        
                         Nigel Colne (British), Brian Frost, Mike Leeming,      
                         Chris Nissen, Sindi Zilwa                              
Executive directors: Simon Susman (CEO), Richard Inskip, Norman Thomson         
Group secretary: Cherrie Lowe Share code: WHL ISIN: ZAE000063863                
Registered address (postal and physical): PO Box 680                            
                                          Cape Town 8000                        
Woolworths House                      
                                          93 Longmarket Street                  
                                          Cape Town 8001                        
                                          Registration number: 1929/001986/06   
Auditors: Ernst & Young and SAB & T Inc                                         
Bankers: Standard Bank of South Africa Limited                                  
Sponsor: Rand Merchant Bank (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)              
Transfer secretaries: Computershare Investor Services 2004 (Pty) Ltd            
70 Marshall Street                                        
                      Johannesburg 2001                                         
Visit our investor relations site: www.woolworthsholdings.co.za                 
Date: 16/02/2006 08:00:39 AM Produced by the JSE SENS Department                
                                                                                
                                                                                
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