Woolworths in South Africa is facing scrutiny after maggots were reportedly discovered in a raw chicken fridge at one of its stores, according to TimesLIVE. The retailer described the incident as "a unique and isolated incident" and said it has opened an investigation into how it occurred. The report raises questions about the supermarket's food safety and quality control standards as the company works to determine the cause of the contamination.

A Woolworths customer has expressed shock and disgust after allegedly spotting what appeared to be maggots on shelves at the retailer's Bel Air store in Gauteng, according to IOL. The incident was captured in a video shared online, drawing attention to hygiene conditions at the store. The sighting was reported on 9 September 2026, and the claim remains based on the customer's footage.

Woolworths has launched a new fulfilment centre, referred to as a 'dark store', to enhance its Woolies Dash online delivery service. This expansion is part of the company's strategy to grow its fast-developing online delivery network.

Woolworths is set to implement changes to its rewards programme, prompting questions about whether customer loyalty is genuinely being rewarded or manipulated. The specifics of the changes have not been detailed, but they aim to enhance the customer experience and engagement with the brand.

Consumers are increasingly facing a crisis as they encounter declining product quality alongside rising prices. Instances include toilet paper that disintegrates upon use and biscuits that are both smaller in size and quantity compared to previous versions. These changes have raised concerns about value and satisfaction among shoppers, highlighting a troubling trend in the consumer market.

Woolworths reported a difficult trading year in 2026, with its food division performing strongly while the retailer's other divisions struggled. According to The Citizen Business, chief executive Sam Ngumeni acknowledged that 2026 had been a tough year for the company. The results point to a mixed performance across the group, with resilient food sales offsetting weakness elsewhere in the business.