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The man who spearheaded the Countdown brand change back to Woolworths is to leave the supermarket chain at the end of March.
Originally from South Africa, managing director Spencer Sonn intends to return home to take up a new role with Woolworths Holdings Ltd.
Sonn thanked team members and theNew Zealand community for welcoming him so warmly.
“I’ve been lucky to see a lot of this beautiful country and meet many local customers over the last few years, but also to spend time with our team, growers, and local suppliers, and see first-hand the passion and care they demonstrate every day,” he said.
Spencer Sonn, managing director of Woolworths New Zealand, will depart the role in March.
Sonn, who joined Woolworths Group in 2021, has spearheaded the company’s brand’s refresh from Countdown back to Woolworths.
He was also part of launching Woolworths’ loyalty programme Everyday Rewards into the New Zealand market, and the transformation of offshoot FreshChoice.
Woolworths Group chief executive Amanda Bardwell said that Sonn had been instrumental in getting those projects over the line.
“I’d like to thank Spencer for helping make us better togetherand wish him all the best for the future.”
Sonn will continue to lead Woolworths New Zealand until the end of March.
There will be an update on his successor next month.
Woolworths New Zealand managing director Spencer Sonn at the reopening of its Bethlehem store in August 2023. Photo / Supplied, Abigail Dougherty
Checking out
Sonn led the New Zealand arm of Woolworths through the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, at a time of scrutiny about New Zealand’s supermarket duopoly.
Taking part in the Herald’sSummer Question Series, Sonn said that retail was an ever-changing industry, but he didn’t think the cost-of-living crisis was anywhere near over.
“Our customers, and our team, have felt the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis more than ever in 2024, and that’s really shaped our year at Woolworths too.”
Sonn also said that family friends were visiting from South Africa over the summer break, and he couldn’t wait to share the beauty of Aotearoa.
Woolworths NZ’s last result with Sonn in charge reported a slight rise in sales but its earnings before interest and tax more than halved.
Total food sales for the New Zealand business grew to $8.1 billion, up 3.2% compared to FY23.
Wage costs outpaced sales growth, leading to normalised earnings before interest and tax (ebit) falling 57.2% to $108 million, compared to $249m in FY23.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amorisation (ebitda) also dropped, down 21.4% for FY24 to $449m compared to $572m in FY23.
Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business and retail.
