Woolworths opens first-of-its-kind food store in South Africa’s avocado capital

Cape Town – Woolworths has opened its first standalone Woolworths Food store in Tzaneen, Limpopo, expanding its presence in the town known as South Africa’s avocado capital.

The new store, located at Tzaneen Lifestyle Centre, officially opened on Thursday, 29 October 2026, occupying premises previously used by Food Lovers Market, according to Daily Investor.

The opening marks the retailer’s first standalone food outlet in the town. Woolworths previously had only one other store in Tzaneen, at Tzaneng Mall.

Situated at the corner of Voortrekker Street and the R71, the new outlet adds to the centre’s existing retail offering, which includes Checkers, Cape Union Mart, Mr Price Home, PEP Home and Miladys.

The opening is part of a broader expansion of Tzaneen Lifestyle Centre, which is undergoing a development expected to add more than 20,000 square metres of retail space and attract additional national retailers.

Food business

In September 2025, The Citizen’s Letaba Herald reported that Resilient Properties’ head of retail, Suzan Tempel, had announced plans for a 22,000-square-metre expansion.

“We will be adding a Pick n Pay, and shoppers can also look forward to brands such as Coricraft and @home,” Tempel said at the time.

She added that the development would mean residents would no longer need to travel to Polokwane to access those retailers.

The new Woolworths outlet was also confirmed in Resilient REIT’s financial results published through the JSE’s Stock Exchange News Service (SENS), which identified it as a 1,500-square-metre food store replacing Food Lovers Market at the centre.

The opening comes as Woolworths strengthens its focus on its food business.

According to the retailer’s 2026 financial results, Woolworths Food recorded a 5.7% increase in turnover and concession sales during the financial year ended 28 June 2026.

Strategic focus

Group chief executive Sam Ngumeni described the food division as a key source of strength for the business, saying the group was sharpening its strategic focus around its “market-leading premium Food business”.

Woolworths also reported that its on-demand delivery service, Woolies Dash, grew revenue by 19.6% during the period, with online sales contributing 7.3% of its South African food sales.

Tzaneen’s reputation as an agricultural centre, particularly for avocado production, adds significance to the store’s location. The town and surrounding region are major contributors to South Africa’s avocado industry, with production serving both domestic and international markets.

The new outlet therefore adds another national retail brand to a growing commercial hub in Limpopo, as Woolworths continues to expand its food retail footprint.