Woolworths Group has recorded a 2.7% increase in total group sales for the first quarter (Q1) of fiscal year 2026 (FY26), with e-commerce providing the main impetus.

The Australian supermarket chain generated sales of A$18.48bn ($12.22bn) for the quarter, compared with A$18bn in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Sales through the group’s e-commerce operations rose 13.2% on a year-on-year basis.

In Australian Food, total quarterly sales reached A$13.89bn, a growth of 2.1% from A$13.6bn a year earlier. Woolworths Food retail sales grew 2%, or 3.8% when tobacco is excluded.

Australian business-to-business (B2B) sales climbed 6.2% to A$1.56bn, reflecting growth in the B2B food category.

The figure benefited from a change in the retail calendar at Premier Foods, which shifted to a 14-week quarter from 13 weeks previously. Adjusted for this effect, the sales growth was 2.2%.

New Zealand Food sales for the quarter grew 3.2% to NZ$2.19bn ($1.26bn), supported by e-commerce performance. Comparable sales in this market rose 3.7%.

Sales at W Living increased 3.3% to A$1.39bn. BIG W reported a 1% rise in total sales to A$1.14bn, with comparable sales increasing 0.6% from the previous year.

MyDeal, the online platform closed at the end of September 2025, generated A$14m in sales.

The group’s other segment saw sales jump 13.8% to A$66m.

However, Woolworths Group CEO Amanda Bardwell stated that Q1 sales were “below our aspirations”, noting that: "... by category, fresh and grocery food were solid in Q1 while pet and baby continued to underperform in store and tobacco sales declined by 51%. In e-commerce, sales grew by 12.9% and on demand growth remained a highlight. e-commerce sales delivered or picked up in under two hours increased by 39% as customers seek greater convenience.

“Looking ahead, we are cautiously optimistic about our key trading quarter and we have strong plans in place for our customers for the festive season including a refreshed seasonal range."