Woolworths - Clarification: Trading update for the twelve months to 30 June 2005

Woolworths - Clarification: Trading update for the twelve months to 30 June 2005
Woolworths Holdings Limited                                                     
(Registration number: 1929/001986/06)                                           
ISIN: ZAE000063863                                                              
JSE Code: WHL                                                                   
("Woolworths" or "the company")                                                 
Clarification: Trading update for the twelve months to 30 June 2005             
Woolworths operating group increased sales for the twelve months to June 2005 by
15.7% compared to the same period last year. Comparable store sales growth was  
9.8%.                                                                           
Clothing and Home grew sales by 11.6% in total and 8.3% in comparable store     
sales with an average deflation rate of approximately 1% over the period. Food  
sales grew by 19.5% in total and by 11.4% in comparable store sales with an     
average inflation rate of approximately 3% over the period.                     
Sales for the Australian subsidiary Country Road, were 9% higher in Australian  
dollar terms compared to the same period last year with unit sales growth in    
excess of 30%. Margins have been impacted by significant one-off costs          
associated with the transition to the new design processes and timetable, as    
well as higher markdowns taken to clear winter stocks following an unseasonably 
warm winter. Profit in Country Road is expected to be in line with last year.   
This statement has not been reviewed or reported on by the company"s external   
auditors. The group"s results for the year ending 30 June 2005 are expected to  
be released on SENS on 25 August 2005.                                          
Cape Town                                                                       
8 July 2005                                                                     
Contact:                                                                        
Simon Susman (Chief Executive Officer)                                          
Contact number: 083 252 5696                                                    
Norman Thomson (Finance Director)                                               
Contact number: 083 251 6354                                                    
Cherrie Lowe (Group Company Secretary)                                          
Contact number: 083 308 2933                                                    
Sponsor                                                                         
RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)                       
Date: 08/07/2005 10:40:06 AM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
Produced by the JSE SENS Department