Sydney, Jan 11, 2026, 17:25 AEDT — Market closed
- Woolworths shares ended the day 1.8% higher at A$30.08, outperforming the flat ASX 200
- The company confirmed it will impose a new A$2 fee on online orders placed on Sundays and public holidays starting in February
- The next major event for investors is Woolworths’ half-year results, due Feb. 25
Woolworths Group Ltd shares finished Friday up 1.8% at A$30.08. The S&P/ASX 200 barely moved, closing down 0.03% ahead of the weekend break.
The late-week bounce puts the supermarket group near the A$30 mark heading into Monday’s open. Investors are focused less on a brief two-day trading halt and more on what comes next for margins and volumes.
Fresh pricing changes in online shopping have also caught attention, with costs shifting fast. Woolworths confirmed it will tack on a A$2 fee for pick-up or delivery booked on Sundays and public holidays starting February, citing higher wage “penalty rates” for weekend and holiday workers. Rival Coles, for now, won’t follow suit. UNSW professor Nitika Garg noted, “The people most likely to mind are budget-conscious households who organise deliveries on weekends because they’re home.” YourLifeChoices
The sum is modest, yet it gauges just how much supermarkets can hike service fees before customers start to pull back. It also reveals their ongoing efforts to prevent online expansion from eroding profit margins.
Woolworths’ own quote feed recorded shares moving between A$29.69 and A$30.15 on Friday. The stock has gained roughly 2.4% over the past week but remains well off last year’s high of A$33.76.
The group falls into the market’s defensive category—stocks investors lean on for earnings that stay steady, regardless of the cycle. It’s still judged by the usual factors: price perception, service quality, and whether customers are trading down.
Woolworths relied on promotions, discounted prices, and a stronger online presence to attract budget-minded shoppers, a strategy that drove first-quarter sales past expectations in October.
There are risks, though. Woolworths plans to contest a class action over alleged staff underpayments. It already warned investors about a potential post-tax hit between A$180 million and A$330 million after a court review of past wages.
On Monday, eyes will be on whether the stock stays above A$30 and if that level attracts defensive buyers amid any market slip-ups. Traders will also be alert for hints of more fee adjustments or swift moves from rivals.
Woolworths will report its first-half FY26 results on Feb. 25. Investors will be watching closely for updates on supermarket margins, online expenses, and any news regarding wage remediation provisions.
