JOHANNESBURG – Woolworths Holdings (OTC:WLWHY) Limited, a prominent South African retail giant, has encountered significant operational hurdles due to prevailing economic issues in the country. The retailer’s shares took a hit, closing at R64.97, 2.34% down on Tuesday, attributed to a combination of load shedding, port delays, and the knock-on effects on store volumes and summer stock availability. Despite these setbacks, Woolworths reported an 8.4% rise in grocery sector sales over a six-month period, bolstered by aggressive Black Friday promotions. This growth comes against the backdrop of a 9.1% inflation rate. The fashion and home segments of Woolworths, however, have not fared as well, with only marginal sales increases. This was largely due to the late arrival of summer stock,…
