Woolworths Group

Nelson Dichiera’s family have been farming the rich, red soil around the Victorian town of Mildura since his grandfather emigrated from Italy in the 1930s. It’s a dream that could have ended if he and wife Zoë hadn’t had the foresight to seek out a partnership with Woolworths almost 15 years ago. In 2011, they took a gamble and moved into organic table grape farming. “We needed a market because the local market wasn’t big enough to take all our grapes,” explains Zoë. “Woolworths has been very supportive. The trust has built over the years and if they come to us with something, we can trust their information. And we go to them, they trust our information.” Since 2011, the partnership has grown stronger and even more important to Nelson and Zoë, who have expanded their organic table grape production with two grants of $500,000 from the Woolworths Organic Growth Fund. The grants have helped them introduce new varieties of grapes at their Borderland Farm at Mildura and fund infrastructure at their second property, Queensland Borderland Farm, at Mundubbera, in the state’s North Burnett region. “Our dream is to increase our production even further to match the increasing demand for organic produce, and Woolworths is certainly beside us trying to make that happen and build on the customer base,” Zoë says, adding that the new white, red and black varieties keep delicious organic grapes from Borderland Farms on Woolworths’ shelves from November through to April. She and Nelson decided to ditch conventional farming for organic when they took over the family farm at Mildura, where they were also living and raising their family. “Nelson would be out spraying, and it didn’t sit well with him knowing the children were playing in the yard. Do we really need to do this? Is it really needed to this extent? He started looking into other options,” Zoë says. Since then, Nelson and Zoë have always strived to produce their organic table grapes in the most efficient way to make them affordable to other families. They’re also looking forward to passing on their love of organic farming and working on the land to their four children, the fourth generation, who will hopefully carry on the Dichiera family’s farming legacy. Learn more about Borderland Farm's story here https://lnkd.in/gc7G9tck

The results are in, and we’re thrilled to reveal the outstanding winners of the 2024 Campaign of the Year Awards! This year’s finalists truly raised the bar with exceptional creativity, strategic excellence, and measurable impact across Retail Media. And the winners are… 🏆 BIG W Campaign of the Year | the LEGO Group The LEGO Group’s Christmas campaign at BIG W drove awareness and conversion through a seamless omnichannel approach with assets like the toy gantry, EDMs, and digital screens. The results were impressive: 31,000 new-to-brand customers, a 240% sales uplift, and 69% customer growth. 🏆 Woolworths Campaign of the Year | Mutti Australia Mutti’s campaign leveraged Cartology's omnichannel strategy to drive engagement through high-impact digital displays and in-store promotions, boosting brand visibility and customer interaction. This approach set a new standard in campaign effectiveness. 🎖️ Best Use of Customer Insights, BIG W | MCoBeauty, Candyshop 🎖️ Best Use of Customer Insights, Woolworths | Unilever, Lynx Fine Fragrance 🎖️ Best Digital Strategy | Beiersdorf, NIVEA 🎖️ Best NPD Campaign | Snackbrands Australia, Thins Onion Rings 🎖️ Best Omnichannel Campaign under $250K | Mutti Australia, Pasta Sauces 🎖️ Best Omnichannel Campaign over $250K | Patties Food Group, Four'N Twenty These incredible teams set a new benchmark in Retail Media, showcasing the true power of integrated campaigns to drive growth and customer engagement. A huge congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to every brand and team that partnered with us this year! See all the winning campaigns and their results: https://lnkd.in/g2rXGySn #CampaignoftheYear #ClosestToCustomers Woolworths Group | BIG W

Today is International Men’s Day, and we’re celebrating one of our own – Maxwell Hampton,  a Woolworths group manager who truly embodies resilience, leadership and heart. Max’s journey with us began in 2016, and since then, he’s not only taken on the responsibility of managing stores across Victoria and Tasmania, but he’s also been a role model and a mentor to his team. Max’s path hasn’t been without challenges. After losing his father in 2015, he became the guardian of his younger brother at just 24 years old. Reflecting on this time, Max says, “That kind of loss leaves a mark on you. He was my idol, the strongest guy I knew – but he had his demons, and he hid them well.” Max’s experiences have shaped his approach to leadership, making him an empathetic manager who truly cares about his team. “Not everyone behind that smile is having a great time when they come to work,” he explains. “I try to keep my door open and make it known that they can bring their whole selves to work, struggles and all.” Max is committed to helping others navigate their own challenges, always offering a listening ear. He sees value in creating a workplace where people feel safe to be themselves and grow and can be their true selves. “It’s okay not to be okay,” he says, explaining how empathy breeds empathetic leaders. “I hope that I’m paving a great path for our future leaders.” Today, we’re grateful for leaders like Max who make Woolworths a place where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work. Thank you, Max, for all you do, and for leading by example. You can read more of Max's story here https://lnkd.in/gdW4Rzur

Today, as we recognise Ag Day and the people that work and live in our agriculture sector, we're pleased to share our 4th Regional Report, which looks to our team members, partners and the many people who contribute to the resilience of rural and regional Australia. Regional Australia plays a vital role in our story – growing the produce, supplying our stores, supporting our communities and serving our customers right across Australia. We’re proud to be part of so many regional, rural and remote communities and supporting resilience in our regions. As Woolworths Group marks 100 years, this year's Regional Report looks to the people and places that have made this milestone possible. You can read the stories here in our Woolworths Group 2024 Regional Report https://lnkd.in/gmqqbuPZ Jaimie Lovell GAICD, Amelia Shaw, Paul Turner, Tim Dudding, Anna Speer, Jason Mcquaid, Paul Harker, Edward Lichtig BGS, Nicole Eastaway, Claire Bremner

Meet Aysha Verry, a customer hub team leader and proud and passionate advocate for Woolworths Group’s transgender and gender-diverse team. To mark and celebrate Transgender Awareness Week 2024, Aysha praises Woolworths Group’s ongoing commitment towards a better – and more inclusive – tomorrow for LGBTQ+ team members. “Prior to joining Woolworths Group, I worked as a tradie across various industries,” says Aysha. “As you can imagine, diversity and inclusion initiatives were pretty scarce. In my experience, most workplaces lacked awareness and operated using pretty outdated ways of working, regardless of actual policy and procedure. “Achieving Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer status for LGBTQ+ speaks volumes about Woolworths Group’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.” Aysha names the implementation of the Gender Affirmation Support Plan as something they are proudest of during their tenure, a document that provides crucial support for trans and gender-diverse team members and their line managers as they navigate the unique gender affirmation journey together. While they are proud of the significant progress we’ve made as a group, Aysha says it is essential to acknowledge the journey to a fully inclusive and equitable workplace is ongoing. “I really value that Woolworths Group acknowledges the ongoing work that’s needed to create an inclusive environment for all team members,” says Aysha. “While diverse opinions are expected in such a large organisation, especially one that encourages diversity, there have been countless instances in which my colleagues have continued to show up for me in meaningful ways.” Read more about Aysha’s story here https://lnkd.in/gxZz3SbE

Huge shout out to the Woolworths People team, who have been recognised for their ongoing work in helping us build a more diverse and inclusive organisation. This week the team won the Excellence in Creating Diverse Opportunities category at the NSW Employer Awards for their hiring initiatives for our 360 Facilities Management Proactive Services team. Thanks to their efforts, 6% of our team has been recruited through diverse pathways with almost 3% of the team identifying as First Nations Australians. Although still a work in progress, this is a great step in helping our team better reflect the diverse communities we serve. #bettertogether Woolworths GroupKristy SlatterTomas HanlonFatima QayumiNaomi Gosset Kristen QuirkDanny CroftsShaun MerryBrent AllumRob McCartneyMichael KnightMatt HoughMarie GuyverRosalynn Apps

Last week our Norwest support office was filled with colour, music, and joy as we celebrated Diwali with our team. A chance to share a meal together, join the dancing, and celebrate the traditions and cultures that make our team who we are as Woolworths Group. See more of our celebration of Diwali in the video below

For team member Kashveera Chanderjith CA, who is profoundly deaf, the world may be silent but her impact is loud. Kash, our risk partner for Property and Woolworths 360 at Woolworths Group, believes in taking the path less travelled because that’s where change happens. And that’s what she’s done her entire life. Kash, who was born in South Africa, was diagnosed as profoundly deaf when she was four years old and her parents were told she’d never be able to speak. But, despite the prognosis, they taught their daughter how to speak. “I cannot hear things that most people take for granted – birds chirping or the waves crashing onto the shore,” says Kash. “I can’t even hear my mum’s voice. I can’t even hear my own voice!” Kash never learnt sign language but she can lip-read. “One of my proudest moments is being able to order bread at the shop when I was seven,” says Kash. “But the thing I’m most proud of is my voice.” Now, she’s using that voice to advocate for people with disabilities. While we’ve come a long way, Kash says there’s still a long way to go. “I’d love to see accessibility ingrained throughout organisations,” she explains, adding that because her disability is invisible, many people don’t realise she is deaf. “On my first day [at Woolworths Group], I couldn’t enter the office because I couldn’t hear the click of the revolving door, but I was rescued by another team member.” Kash chose to work at Woolworths Group because “everyone aspires to do the right thing and live our company values”. “Woolworths Group is supportive of bringing your whole self to work and that makes me really proud,” she says. “Because I can lip-read, everyone in the team supports me by making sure their cameras are on in every virtual meeting. “We’re making Woolworths Group a safe place for team members to feel comfortable having disability-focused conversations through education,” says Kash. “We’re thinking about our facilities in a different light.”  Kash lives by a saying her dad shared with her: ‘Always be the first-rate version of yourself and not the second-rate version of someone else.’ “I am a woman, married to a woman. I am a South African of Indian descent and above all, I have a disability that is so profound,” says Kash, who had one of the first same-sex weddings conducted with Hindu rites and rituals in Australia. “For me, it is really important to integrate all of these different parts of myself into one cohesive self that is unique. I think every person needs to celebrate that uniqueness. “You can’t be what you can’t see, and I think Woolworths Group is really great at creating that sense of belonging.” For more of Kash’s inspiring story, click here https://lnkd.in/gyMbr9Fc

Meet Baby Jane! Jane Rogers was just a bub when she became the face of Woolworths 50 years ago. With a full head of glorious brown curls, an impish smile and a happy disposition, Jane was one of the most famous babies in Australia when she was chosen to be the face of Woolworths. “It was fun,” she says, admitting she can’t remember much from all the Woolworths campaigns she starred in from the age of 12 months to 5 years old. Now 52 and a mother-of-three, what Jane does recall is meeting then-Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and his wife Margaret at the grand opening of a Liverpool shopping centre in the 1970s. “I remember they came in a horse and carriage. I had to give them some flowers and I thought she was the Queen because she was wearing a hat. I do remember that!” she laughs. But her favourite memory is of the day she spent shooting a Woolworths soft drink commercial at Manly Beach, when she was allowed to splash about in the water with the photographer’s pet bulldog. “And I got to drink lots of soft drinks which I wasn’t allowed to have when I was a kid!” smiles Jane, who had no idea how recognisable she was until her cousin told her years later that her face was everywhere in the mid to late-70s. “I also remember doing a nighties shoot with these older girls, who must have been about 10, and I thought they were just so sophisticated. I was 3 and they seemed very grown-up!” Jane says her star turn for Woolworths only came about after she lost out to another baby girl in the one and only beautiful baby competition that her mum, Joy, entered her into after a friend was captivated with her daughter’s beauty. “I didn’t win the competition, but a lady saw my photo and thought I would be great for modelling because I didn’t look like a typical baby – I had lots of brown, curly hair,” she says. “When I did some stuff for Woolies, it all clicked into place, and I became the face of their home brand. I was used in campaigns for everything from knitted dresses, cheese, coffee, biscuits and men’s shirts.” Jane “retired” from modelling when she started school, and these days she is living a great life on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with her husband Peter and their three children, real estate agent Charlotte, 22, and their 18-year-old twin boys, Hamish and Will, who are currently sitting their HSC exams. “I do shop at Woolies still because the staff are always helpful, and the quality is good – and I like the half-price specials!” Jane says. https://lnkd.in/gidh-4YN

In a world of fast-advancing tech, Group Business Enablement Director Richard Plunkett GAICD is determined to be leading positive change for customers. Richard, who has worked with Woolworths for thirty-five years, has implemented game-changing supermarket revolutions nationwide.   From Scan Assist at the self-checkout, to creating 2D barcodes that minimise food waste, Richard and his team are leading the charge globally. “We now have major retailers coming to Australia and looking at Woolworths, checking out our innovations,” says Richard. One of Richard and the team’s most recent innovations is Scan & Go Trolleys – an Australian-first which has revolutionised the future of shopping. Originally launched as an app on your phone during COVID to minimise contact between people, feedback indicated customers wanted a hands-free option. So after global research and extensive development, Richard’s team rolled out Scan & Go Trolleys at ten Woolworths Supermarkets earlier this year. “To listen and take feedback from customers and then adapt, that's the secret sauce to innovation,” Richard says. “I was very proud of the team the day Scan & Go Trolleys went live. I had a big smile on my face looking like a dad watching his child graduate.” Among their many benefits, such as faster checkouts and the ability to pack your shopping the way you prefer, the Scan & Go Trolleys give customers the ability to track their spend by seeing a running total with every scan. This new way to shop won’t have any impact on the roles of our store team members; it just gives you another choice when deciding the best way to do your shopping. “Customers are always looking for the quickest way to do their shop,” Richard says. “But one of their biggest pieces of feedback was that they didn’t know how much they were spending until they got to the checkout. You could see people going around the aisles with a calculator adding it up,” he explains. “The trolleys are a great tool to help manage your budget.” Richard assures the future is bright with a slew of impressive enhancements in the pipeline. Steadfastly modest about his impressive career, Richard says the key to his success is two-fold – his Business Enablement team and some good old-fashioned courage. “I’ve got some battle scars from my 35 years,” he laughs. “When you're starting to flesh out an idea, you have to be a bit courageous because a lot of people will say it’s not going to work. “Fortunately, I’ve been lucky enough to have some great teams around me – a really diverse bunch of people. It’s all about the team, you can’t innovate without collaboration.”