Yes, traditional Woolworths stores (the former US/UK variety store chain) often sold small live pets like birds, hamsters, goldfish, and turtles, while the modern Australian Woolworths Group sells extensive pet products and recently acquired specialty retailers like Petstock, but doesn't typically sell live animals in their supermarkets.
Woolworths on 13th Ave: I bet many of you remember that Woolworths sold pets in a very small area with trellis shrouded with fake plastic vine that "isolated" it from the classic Woolworths lunch-counter & fountain service area at the window.
According to Woolworths, the acquisition of Absolute Pets provides the retailer with a well-established, complementary market presence and strong management.
To reflect this divestiture, Woolworths' purchase price of the 55 per cent stake in PetStock would be expected to be around $438 million, down from the initial price tag of $586 million.
No, Woolworths does not own Petbarn; Petbarn is owned by TPG Capital through its parent company, Greencross Limited, which also runs Greencross Vets and City Farmers, while Woolworths owns a majority stake in rival pet retailer Petstock.
Petbarn is owned by Greencross Limited, Australasia's largest integrated pet care company, which also operates Greencross Vets and other pet retail brands like City Farmers. Greencross itself is owned by a consortium including TPG Capital and major investors like AustralianSuper and HOOPP, with potential for public listing again.
The cheapest pets generally involve low upfront and ongoing costs, with excellent budget options being Betta Fish, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, Rats, and Hermit Crabs, while some reptiles like Leopard Geckos and Corn Snakes are cheap to feed but need specific initial setups. For ultra-low maintenance, consider Sea Monkeys or Ants, though they offer less interaction than furry or finned friends.
The move comes after Woolworths acquired 55% of Petspiration, the owner of Petstock, in 2022.
Woolworths is generally considered bigger than Coles in Australia, holding a larger market share and higher revenue, though Coles has recently shown stronger sales growth and customer acquisition, sometimes leading in specific areas like in-store shopping or gaining market share, notes The Sydney Morning Herald and Savings.com.au and KOSEC - Kodari Securities. Woolworths leads in overall revenue and market dominance, while Coles is narrowing the gap and even surpassing Woolies in some customer metrics.
An unsigned will made Barbara Hutton rich
But Woolworth failed to sign the will—either due to forgetfulness or a change of heart. When he died, the entire fortune passed to his wife, Jennie Woolworth, a hopeless incompetent who, permanently hospitalized, tied up the money for the duration of her life.
Dogs are the most popular pet in Australia, found in nearly half of all households, with cats being the second most common, followed by fish and birds, according to recent surveys by Animal Medicines Australia, RSPCA Knowledgebase, and The Guardian. Australia has one of the world's highest pet ownership rates, with about 69% of households owning at least one pet, highlighting the nation's strong bond with its animal companions.
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Concerns over Coles and Woolworths price gouging led to an Australian government inquiry and new laws banning excessive pricing from mid-2026, with major penalties for breaches, though the initial ACCC inquiry didn't find direct gouging, blaming rising input costs, while the supermarkets faced ACCC court action in late 2024 over misleading 'Down Down' pricing promotions. Consumers report rising prices, leading to scrutiny on high profits and 'price cycle' tactics, with new regulations aiming for greater transparency and fairness, as the ACCC investigates their market power and practices.
Absolute Pets is owned by Woolworths (Proprietary) Limited ("Woolworths"), who are in fact a group of companies which includes Woolworths Financial Services (Proprietary) Limited and Absolute Pets.
No, generally pet dogs are not allowed in Kmart stores, but assistance animals (like guide dogs) are welcome; some specific shopping centers might have different rules for the Kmart location within them, and staff discretion plays a role, though official policy focuses on service animals. While some shoppers bring pets in, especially small ones in trolleys, it goes against store policy for general pets, and staff can ask them to leave, as seen in various community discussions in Australia where Kmart operates.
The downfall of the iconic Woolworths brand (in the UK) was caused by a perfect storm of crippling debt from leveraged buyouts, a failure to adapt to changing retail (competing with Argos/catalogue retail), poor stock management, low cash reserves, and the 2008 financial crisis that spooked lenders, leading to administration and closure in 2008. For the Australian Woolworths Group, major missteps include the costly failure of its Masters Home Improvement venture and recent struggles with market share against Coles, despite strong historical performance.
Woolworths Group CEO Amanda Bardwell's fixed annual salary (TFR) is $2.15 million, inclusive of superannuation, starting September 2024, with potential for significant performance bonuses (STI/LTI) on top, while former CEO Brad Banducci's total remuneration reached $8.4-$8.6 million in FY2023 before his departure.
Neither Coles nor Woolworths is consistently cheaper; they are often very close in price, with Aldi usually being the cheapest overall, though specific items and specials can make one or the other cheaper on any given week. Choice reports frequently show Coles slightly edging out Woolworths (or vice-versa) on full-price baskets, but the difference is often just a few dollars, while IGA tends to be more expensive.
Woolworths Supermarkets in Australia (colloquially "Woolies") are owned by the Woolworths Group (ASX: WOW), an Australian publicly listed company with hundreds of thousands of shareholders, predominantly Australian retail investors, and major institutional investors like BlackRock and Vanguard, making it a widely held company, not a single owner. It's crucial to distinguish this Australian entity from other unrelated Woolworths brands in the UK or South Africa.
No, Dan Murphy's is not directly owned by Woolworths anymore; it's owned by the publicly listed Endeavour Group, which was spun off from Woolworths in 2021, though Woolworths had a significant stake and maintained close ties until recently selling its remaining shares. Woolworths originally grew Dan Murphy's, but the Endeavour Group (also owning BWS) became a separate entity.
No, City Farmers isn't exactly "now Petbarn", but they are owned by the same parent company, Greencross Ltd., which operates both brands and Greencross Vets in Australia, so they function as part of the same large pet retail group alongside Animates in New Zealand. Greencross purchased City Farmers in 2014, expanding their network, and they continue to run both retail chains, often with integrated vet services, creating a unified presence in the Australian pet care market.
PETstock Dried Mealworms are a tasty treat high in protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins. They can be used as a treat or high-protein supplement for Chickens, Ducks, Geese, and Reptiles. They can also be fed to insect-eating wild birds and some fish species. Need Petstock Dried Mealworms today?
Great Dane. The giant Great Dane is one of the calmest dog breeds. Their gentle, quiet nature makes them good family dogs, but they do need plenty of space to live and play.
Initial Costs: Bringing Your Dog Home
Usually, a dog will cost you somewhere around $30-$300. A purebred on the other hand can cost you somewhere between $500-$3000. Depending on the breed of the dog you might have to pay a little extra.
The cat breed most famously associated with a $100,000 price tag is the Ashera, a rare, exotic hybrid (Serval, Asian Leopard Cat, Domestic Cat) known for its leopard-like appearance and loyalty, though this price often reflects exclusivity and marketing, with genuine purchases sometimes involving similar-looking, but less expensive, Savannahs or Bengals, while the Bengal named Zeus once sold for $150,000.