Sydney, Feb 2, 2026, 17:28 AEDT — The market has now closed.
- Woolworths shares dipped roughly 0.1%, closing at A$30.91.
- A media report highlighted a potential A$300 million deal involving shopping-centre assets.
- Traders are turning their focus to Tuesday’s central bank decision and Woolworths’ results due on Feb. 25.
Shares of Woolworths Group Ltd edged down roughly 0.1%, settling at A$30.91 on Monday. The dip came after reports surfaced that the supermarket chain is nearing a deal to offload a A$300 million shopping-centre portfolio to an investor backed by Asian capital. (MarketScreener)
The shift may seem minor, yet it arrives amid market turbulence. Wild swings in commodities and changing rate forecasts are driving funds into defensives, where supermarkets typically reside.
For Woolworths, property deals do more than clean up the balance sheet. They play a key role in determining how aggressively the group pushes store expansions, renovations, and price investments.
ChannelNews reported Woolworths is planning to offload up to eight sites, including both newly opened stores and developments still underway along Australia’s eastern coast. The buyer was named as Forest Endeavour, connected to Shayher Group, with the yield—annual rent divided by price—hovering around 5%. A Woolworths spokesperson noted that selling leased sites is part of its “normal business cycle” and said the company is assessing which assets might be put on the market over the coming year. (ChannelNews)
The broader market slipped, with the S&P/ASX 200 falling 1%, dragged down by miners. Investors are on edge ahead of Tuesday’s Reserve Bank of Australia policy decision. A Reuters poll suggests a 25 basis-point hike — 0.25 percentage points. Craig Sidney from Shaw and Partners said “weaker cues” and rate expectations are weighing on the market. (Indo Premier)
Against this backdrop, Woolworths’ almost unchanged finish looks more like a defensive move than a strong bet on the property angle. Investors are also watching Coles Group and the privately owned Aldi closely, since the battle remains largely about price and store locations—not headlines.
A sale like this cuts both ways. It highlights the value of supermarket-anchored centres and shows strong demand for long-leased retail property. But it also sparks questions about management’s plans for the cash going forward.
Risks remain. The reported deal hasn’t been announced to the Australian Securities Exchange, and details like the asset list, pricing, and timing might still change. Rising interest rates can quickly erode property values, even if the tenant appears stable.
Trading is halted for now, putting the spotlight on whether Woolworths offers clearer guidance on its portfolio next session — and how stocks react to the central bank’s move.
Woolworths is set to release its first-half results on Feb. 25, a key moment for the company. Investors will be watching closely for updates on costs, sales momentum, and any news regarding asset sales or store expansion plans. (Woolworthsgroup)
