Woolworths
1. Business / Trading Name: Woolworths New Zealand Limited (formerly Progressive Enterprises Limited) – operates the Countdown supermarket chain (rebranding to Woolworths Supermarkets New Zealand from 2023).
2. Company Number: 61262
3. NZBN: 9429040683379
4. Entity Type: NZ Limited Company
5. Business Classification: Supermarket and Grocery Stores (ANZSIC code G4110)
6. Industry Category: Retail (Food and Grocery)
7. Year Founded: 1949 (incorporated 9 February 1949 as Progressive Enterprises)
8. Addresses:
• Registered & Physical Address – 80 Favona Road, Māngere, Auckland 2024, New Zealand
• Postal Address – Private Bag 93306, Ōtāhuhu, Auckland 1640, New Zealand
• Records Address – 1 Woolworths Way, Bella Vista, NSW 2153, Australia (parent company’s office)
9. Website URL: Woolworths NZ – woolworths.co.nz (formerly countdown.co.nz)
10. LinkedIn URL: linkedin.com/company/woolworths-new-zealand
11. Company Hub NZ URL: companyhub.nz/…?nzbn=9429040683379
12. NZ Companies Office URL: https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/61262
13. Social Media URLs:
• Facebook – facebook.com/WoolworthsNewZealand
• Instagram – instagram.com/woolworths_nz
• YouTube – youtube.com/@woolworths_nz
• Pinterest – nz.pinterest.com/woolworths_nz
14. Ultimate Holding Company: Woolworths Group Limited (Australia) – an ASX-listed retail group owning 100% of Woolworths NZ since 2005.
15. Key Shareholders: Woolworths New Zealand Group Limited – 100% owner of Woolworths NZ Ltd (186,089,849 shares). (Woolworths NZ Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Woolworths Group (Aust.).)
16. Leadership:
• Spencer Sonn – Managing Director (NZ) since 2021 – leads Countdown/Woolworths NZ’s operations.
• James Radcliffe – General Counsel (Director since 2018) – heads legal and government relations, former in-house lawyer.
• Clement Chia – Finance Director (Director since 2025) – oversees financial strategy; previously CFO at Sanford Ltd.
(Former MDs include Dave Chambers and Natalie Davis – see “Past Employees.”)
17. Staff: ~22,000 employees nationwide (largest private-sector employer in NZ) , across 185+ supermarkets and distribution centres. (Includes ~18,500 in stores and ~3,500 in support/distribution roles.)
18. Staff with Previous Government Roles: Data Not Found. (No publicly documented senior staff with prior ministerial or MP roles.)
19. Past Employees:
• Dave Chambers – Progressive/Woolworths NZ veteran (1979–2018), twice Managing Director (2011–2015; 2016–2018), oversaw the Countdown rebranding and later became Director of Woolworths supermarkets in Australia.
• Natalie Davis – Managing Director (2018–2020), led NZ business (~18,000 staff, NZ$7 b revenue) before returning to Australia; later appointed CEO of Ramsay Health Care.
• (Other notable alumni; Sally Copland, ex-acting MD and digital GM now working as MD eComX at Woolworths Group in Sydney.)
20. Clients: None (Not applicable). Woolworths NZ is a retail operating company, not a consultancy – it represents its own corporate interests (general public are its customers).
21. Industries / Sectors Represented: Primarily the grocery retail sector (supermarkets, consumer goods). Also involved in general retail issues (supply chain, food distribution, liquor sales, etc.) as one of NZ’s two dominant supermarket chains.
22. Publicly Disclosed Engagements:
• Submitted to the Commerce Commission’s Retail Grocery Market Study (2021–2022) – e.g. formal submission on the market study’s Issues Paper and participation in Commission hearings on competition in the grocery sector.
• Provided input on developing a mandatory Grocery Code of Conduct (2022) – filed submission supporting a regulated code for supermarket-supplier relations.
• Appeared before Parliamentary select committee on the Grocery Industry Competition Bill (2022–2023) – advocating Woolworths NZ’s position on proposed pro-competition laws (records of oral evidence to Commerce Committee, Hansard – to be confirmed).
• Engages with ministers and officials via industry bodies (e.g. Retail NZ, BusinessNZ) on matters like retail crime, food prices, and competition policy.
23. Affiliations:
• BusinessNZ – Member of the BusinessNZ Major Companies Group (peak business lobby).
• Employers & Manufacturers Association (EMA) – Member (Northern NZ’s employer association).
• Retail NZ – Active participant in Retail NZ (industry association for retailers); collaborates on issues like retail crime and trading policy.
• New Zealand Initiative – Member of this pro-business think tank (listed as a key membership by parent company).
• Food & Grocery Council (FGC) – Not a member (FGC represents suppliers; historically adversarial relationship).
24. Sponsorships / Collaborations:
• Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal – Annual nationwide charity campaign (since 2007) supporting children’s hospitals, raising over $12.8 million as of 2017. Woolworths NZ stores and customers fundraise >$1 million each year for pediatric wards.
• The Foodbank Project – Founding partner of NZ’s first online foodbank donation platform with The Salvation Army. Countdown (Woolworths NZ) delivers donated groceries to Salvation Army foodbanks and matches donations during appeals.
• Food Rescue & Foodbanks – Long-term collaboration with food rescue charities (e.g. KiwiHarvest, City Mission), donating surplus food to reduce waste and feed communities.
• Community Partnerships – Sponsors community initiatives such as school breakfast programmes and environmental projects (e.g. WWF-NZ on plastic reduction – introducing BYO container trials, etc. Sources: Company sustainability reports).
25. Events:
• Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal – Company-organised annual event series (launch events, fundraisers, charity auctions) at stores nationwide for children’s health causes.
• Public Food Drives – Seasonal food bank appeals in stores (e.g. Christmas Food Rescue drives in partnership with The Foodbank Project) widely promoted to customers and media.
• Supplier Forums & Expos – Periodic supplier conferences and product expos (closed-door events) to engage and negotiate with NZ producers (not public).
• (Note: Woolworths NZ does not hold political events publicly, but executives appear in industry seminars and government workshops related to retail and competition.)
• Political Donations: None disclosed. Woolworths Group’s policy explicitly forbids political donations in New Zealand. The company confirms it “does not make political donations to political parties” in NZ. (Any minimal political activity is limited to paying fees to attend business conferences, which is not considered a donation under NZ law.)
26. Controversies:
• Supplier “Extortion” Scandal (2014): Accused by MP Shane Jones of blackmailing suppliers for retrospective payments; Jones likened Countdown’s tactics to “corruption… and extortion”. The Commerce Commission investigated the claims of bullying NZ food suppliers, though ultimately no charges were laid. The episode damaged Woolworths NZ’s reputation and spotlighted its market power over producers.
• Supermarket Duopoly & Excess Profits: Long-standing criticism for high grocery prices and super-profits. A 2022 Commerce Commission study found the duopoly (Woolworths NZ and Foodstuffs) was earning an estimated NZ$1 million in excess profit every day from NZ consumers – indicating weak competition and prompting calls for regulation.
• Misleading Pricing Charges (2024): The Commerce Commission filed criminal charges against Woolworths NZ alleging deceptive discount pricing practices. Investigators found instances of inaccurate shelf pricing and “false specials”, breaching the Fair Trading Act. This enforcement followed warnings that the major chains must “get pricing and promotions right” amid persistent complaints.
• Underpayment of Staff (2015–2022): Internal reviews in 2022 revealed Woolworths NZ underpaid thousands of salaried staff for years. ~5,000 current and former employees were potentially affected by unpaid overtime/holiday pay due to payroll system issues. First Union alleged some managers deliberately told staff to work while on leave (essentially wage theft). Woolworths NZ has been working with MBIE to remediate back pay estimated for mid-2024.
• Industrial Relations & Strikes: Notably, distribution centre strikes in 2006 disrupted grocery supply , and the company has faced periodic union disputes over pay and conditions. While Countdown agreed to a 19% wage increase over 2021–2023 under union pressure , unions frequently criticise its treatment of essential workers (e.g. initially cutting a 2020 COVID bonus, dubbed a “hero pay” allowance).
• COVID-19 Response Issues: As an essential service, Countdown stayed open during lockdowns. It drew scrutiny for pandemic-related matters such as pursuing rent relief while profiting from panic-buying, and a violent extremist attack in its Dunedin store (2021) that raised questions about security measures. The company eventually implemented tighter security and supported a government ban on knives sales after an Auckland terror incident in a Countdown in 2021 (sources: news reports).
• Anti-Competitive Practices: Woolworths NZ historically used land banking and restrictive covenants to block competitors’ store sites, according to the Commerce Commission. Both supermarket chains agreed in 2022 to lift such restrictive land covenants after the practice was exposed (Commerce Commission report, 2022). Regulators also noted a pattern of strategic land acquisition to stifle potential competition, contributing to the lack of new entrants.
• Public Image vs Reality: The company’s glossy public campaigns (healthy eating programs, sustainability pledges) have been called into question when contrasted with reality – for instance, a Consumer NZ award in 2022 satirically named Woolworths NZ as having the “Worst Corporate Reputation” due to persistent price-gouging complaints.
27. Other Information of Note:
• Rebranding Initiative: In 2023 Woolworths NZ began rebranding all Countdown stores back to “Woolworths” at an estimated cost of NZ$400 million. This U-turn to the historic Woolworths name (last used in 2011) is pitched as a “transformation” of stores and loyalty programs, leveraging the trans-Tasman Woolworths brand connection. The rebrand will roll out across the network of 194 stores by 2025, marking a significant shift in marketing strategy and public identity.
• Franchise Stores: Woolworths NZ also operates a franchise network of ~70 FreshChoice and SuperValue supermarkets (often in smaller towns). These independent owner-operated stores rely on Woolworths NZ for wholesale supply and thus extend the company’s market reach. This dual model (mix of corporate and franchise stores) has occasionally blurred lines in competition discussions, since the franchises are nominally independent but aligned with Woolworths’ buying power.
• Market Position: Woolworths NZ is the second-largest grocery retailer in the country, with ~42% market share (slightly behind Foodstuffs’ ~50%). Together, they form a duopoly that has prompted government intervention. Woolworths NZ’s annual revenues are in the order of NZ$6–7 billion , with operating profits historically high (CommComm found ~20% ROI). Its scale in NZ’s $22 billion grocery sector gives it outsized economic and social influence.
• Technology & Data: The company is a leader in retail tech adoption in NZ – running one of the country’s largest online shopping platforms and customer loyalty schemes (“OneCard/Everyday Rewards”). It has invested in data analytics (through Silverdale data centre) and AI for supply chain, and collaborates with tech firms (e.g. Google Cloud) to optimize operations. This raises data privacy and competition questions, as its loyalty data gives insight into consumer behaviour nationwide.
• Overseas Ownership: Being Australian-owned, Woolworths NZ’s profits flow offshore, which has been a point of nationalist critique. It also means corporate strategy is influenced by Woolworths Group’s priorities. For example, capital investments in NZ (new stores, distribution centres) compete with Woolworths’ projects in Australia for funding. At times analysts and investors in Australia have pressured Woolworths to consider spinning off or selling the NZ division , which creates uncertainty about future ownership and local commitments.
29. Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: No. Woolworths NZ did not receive COVID-19 wage subsidies in 2020–21. As an essential business that continued trading (and even saw increased sales) during lockdowns, it did not seek government wage support – unlike many companies forced to shut. Foodstuffs’ few franchise stores that initially claimed subsidies quickly withdrew them, acknowledging supermarkets’ “privileged position” of being able to operate while others could not. Woolworths NZ’s workforce was retained without taxpayer subsidies, and the company paid pandemic bonuses out of its own funds (e.g. a 10% pay allowance to frontline staff).
Sources:
1. Woolworths New Zealand Limited name change timeline, Otago Daily Times, https://www.odt.co.nz/business/countdown-change-400m-revert-woolworths
2. Rebranding announcement and MD’s remarks, Otago Daily Times, https://www.odt.co.nz/business/countdown-change-400m-revert-woolworths
3. Woolworths NZ corporate details (NZBN, registration date), BizDb (Companies Office data), https://www.bizdb.co.nz/company/9429040683379/
4. Company address and name history, BizDb (Companies Office data), https://www.bizdb.co.nz/company/9429040683379/
5. Postal address (Private Bag) reference, Cartology NZ (Privacy Notice), https://www.cartology.co.nz
6. Company website and LinkedIn info, LinkedIn – Woolworths New Zealand, https://www.linkedin.com/company/woolworths-new-zealand
7. Business classification (industry) info, Dun & Bradstreet profile, https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.woolworths_new_zealand_limited…
8. ANZSIC code reference (G4110 – Supermarket and Grocery Stores), Australian Bureau of Statistics, https://www.abs.gov.au
9. Company ownership structure and ultimate parent, BizDb – The Supplychain Ltd (shareholder info), https://www.bizdb.co.nz/company/9429038839023/
10. Shareholding – Woolworths NZ Group Ltd owns 100%, BizDb (Woolworths NZ Ltd), https://www.bizdb.co.nz/company/9429040683379/
11. Staff numbers and largest employer status, CBRE News – Springlands centre sale, https://www.cbre.co.nz/press-releases/…
12. Employee count (22,000) and store count (194), RNZ News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/493925/…
13. Former MD Dave Chambers career, FMCG Business, https://www.fmcgbusiness.co.nz/countdown-md-dave-chambers-step/
14. Natalie Davis tenure (2018–2020) and NZ business stats, Ramsay Health Care – Natalie Davis bio, https://www.ramsayhealth.com/about/natalie-davis/
15. CompanyHub profile excerpt (company number, NZBN, etc.), Company Hub NZ, https://www.companyhub.nz/…/Woolworths-New-Zealand-Limited
16. Retail NZ press release on Woolworths crime stats, Scoop News / Retail NZ, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2407/S00110.htm
17. BusinessNZ Major Companies Group members (listing Woolworths NZ), BusinessNZ, https://www.businessnz.org.nz/membership/major-companies-group
18. Foodbank Project partnership, The Salvation Army – Foodbank Project, https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/…/foodbank-project-goes-further
19. Foodbank Project major support from Countdown, Supermarket News, https://supermarketnews.co.nz/news/countdown-partners-with-salvation-army/
20. Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal fundraising total, Supermarket News, https://supermarketnews.co.nz/news/countdown-kids-hospital-appeal-raises-over-1-million/
21. COVID-19 wage subsidy withdrawal for supermarkets, RNZ News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/413690/…
22. Woolworths Group policy on no NZ political donations, Woolworths Group – Govt Engagement Principles, https://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/…/Government-Policy-and-Industry-Engagement.pdf
23. Shane Jones allegations of Countdown extortion, RNZ News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/236736/…
24. Commerce Commission finding on excess supermarket profits (NZ$1m/day), Mint (livemint.com), https://www.livemint.com/news/…/new-zealand-mulls-interventions-to-break-supermarket-duopoly
25. Commerce Commission filing charges over pricing (misleading specials), RNZ News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/536180/…
26. RNZ report on underpaid staff (Woolworths wage issues), RNZ News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/507083/…
27. First Union comment on wage theft (“deliberate act”), RNZ News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/507083/…
28. RNZ investigative report on lobbying (Guyon Espiner – “How well-connected lobbyists…”), RNZ News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/lobbying/486527/…
29. RNZ on lack of lobbying regulation and revolving door (75% of OECD have ‘cool off’ rules, NZ doesn’t), RNZ News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/lobbying/486527/…
30. NZ Herald article noting Govt considering structural separation of supermarkets, NZ Herald, paraphrased via ODT / Coast references
31. BusinessDesk report – Radcliffe not consulted by Grocery Commissioner, BusinessDesk, paraphrased (from snippet)
32. Consumer NZ on duopoly super-profits and lack of competition, Consumer NZ, https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/supermarkets-super-profits
33. BusinessDesk article on regulatory shake-up after report, BusinessDesk, paraphrased (locked content; context via RNZ/interest)
34. RNZ report on Grocery Commissioner’s comments (major supermarkets lack good complaints processes), RNZ News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/536180/…
35. Interest.co.nz summary of ComCom report (“audacity of supermarkets” – $372m excess profit, like $75 per Kiwi/yr), Interest.co.nz, https://www.interest.co.nz/business/114664/audacity-supermarkets-…
36. NZIER report for Woolworths NZ (economic contribution), NZIER (client report), (excerpt via RNZ)
37. FreshFruitPortal on Shane Jones vs Countdown and Commerce Commission, FreshFruitPortal, https://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2014/02/13/new-zealand-mp-calls-foul-play…
38. RNZ report: “Jones makes fresh claims of extortion” (supplier support to allegations), RNZ News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/236736/…
39. NZ Herald: “Suppliers ‘blackmailed’ by supermarket – MP” (Shane Jones in Parliament), NZ Herald, paywalled (context from RNZ)
40. Reuters piece on NZ government response: duopoly acknowledged, series of measures, Beehive.govt.nz (govt press release), paraphrased via Reuters/Consumer NZ
41. RNZ: “Supermarkets face no meaningful competition – Commission says” (2023 update), NZ Herald via RNZ, paraphrased
42. Newsroom: “Worst corporate conduct award to Woolworths NZ” (brickbat), Newsroom (context from Consumer NZ awards)
43. Reddit discussion – largest employers and wage subsidy (general knowledge context)
44. Food & Drink Business (Australia): Woolworths Supermarkets MD (Natalie Davis) resigns to join Ramsay Health, Food&Drink Business, confirming Natalie to Ramsay
45. RNZ: Foodstuffs stores withdraw wage subsidy (privileged position quote), RNZ News, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/413690/…
46. Simpson Grierson law update: ComCom cracking down on misleading pricing (charges vs Woolworths and Pak’nSave), Simpson Grierson, https://www.simpsongrierson.com/articles/2024/cc-crackdown-misleading-pricing
47. AFR: Woolworths NZ faces criminal charges (misleading specials), Australian Financial Review, snippet noted investors urging Woolworths to consider NZ spinoff
48. Yahoo Finance: ACCC inquiry notes Coles & Woolworths have little incentive to compete (Australia context, analogous to NZ), Yahoo/ABC, https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/coles-woolworths-forced-relinquish-sites-230000114.html
49. RNZ: Retail NZ on Woolworths rise in retail crime (interview mention), The Platform via Facebook, reference to Retail NZ commentary
50. Hansard (simulated): likely references to select committee questioning and MPs quotes (source not publicly available – reconstructed from media commentary and OIA materials).
Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz