The group’s overall turnover and concession sales increased 16.4% to R72bn in the 52 weeks ended June 26, from the prior year.
Woolworths declared a final dividend of R1.80, taking its total dividend for the year to R3.13, a 26.7% increase on the prior year’s R2.47.
CEO Ian Moir said both SA and Australia where becoming more competitive with the arrival of northern hemisphere retailers and increasing promotional activity.
"Trading for the first eight weeks of the new financial year has seen an improvement in South African clothing after a disappointing winter season and with good sell-throughs of the new range," Moir said in the results statement.
"Food sales have softened slightly, in line with the market. In Australia, David Jones is trading in line with its comparative market set despite now anniversarising strong growth in the prior year. Country Road Group sales are flat on last year and we continue to focus on executing our turnaround plans."
The group’s Country Road clothing brand reported a 3.9% drop in sales excluding new stores due "to the unseasonal warm winter" in both SA and Australia.
Woolworths’ overall clothing and general merchandise division grew sales by 9.6%. Excluding new stores, clothing sales grew 4.4% with price inflation of 6.2%.
Sluggish growth in the clothing side of its business was offset by a good performance of food sales.
"Woolworths Food continues to gain market share. Sales grew by 11.9% with price movement of 6.7% and comparable stores sales growth of 5.7%," the results statement said.
Its financial services division grew its average debtors book by 8.1% and its profit by 12.1%. Its impairment rate increased slightly to 5.7% from the prior year’s 5.4%.
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