Woolworths Holdings, the South African retail group, is set to acquire 100% of in2food Holdings, a local producer of convenience foods, after all regulatory conditions for the transaction were fulfilled.

The company announced on October 8, 2026, that the transaction, first disclosed in March, had received all customary regulatory approvals, including competition authority clearance. Completion is expected in November.

Woolworths strengthens premium food ecosystem

The acquisition supports Woolworths Holdings’ strategy of prioritising its food business, which it identifies as its strongest source of competitive advantage and a key driver of long-term value creation.

In2food is a South African producer of high-quality convenience foods and has supplied Woolworths Food for more than three decades. The longstanding relationship between the two companies has been built around quality, innovation and differentiated products.

Woolworths said bringing the businesses closer together will strengthen supply-chain resilience while improving agility, efficiency and responsiveness to changing consumer demand.

The integration is also expected to accelerate product innovation and new product development, reinforcing Woolworths Food’s position in South Africa’s premium food retail market.

Woolworths expands food offering amid acquisition

Woolworths Food recently launched nine products in South Africa, including overnight oats, breakfast pots, beef ribs, burgers, juice and desserts. The launches come as Food assumes a greater role in the group’s strategy, with Woolworths targeting investment in high-return areas and businesses adjacent to the division.

Acquisition expands Woolworths’ food market reach

Beyond Woolworths stores, in2food has an established presence in food-service and export markets. Woolworths said this provides an opportunity to develop new revenue streams by expanding into non-competing channels and increasing its participation in the broader food ecosystem.

Following completion, in2food will continue operating as a standalone business within Woolworths Holdings. Its existing senior leadership team is expected to remain in place, preserving operational continuity and the entrepreneurial culture behind the business.

The transaction is expected to be earnings-accretive for Woolworths Holdings, with additional benefits anticipated as operational efficiencies are realised.

The acquisition comes shortly after Sam Ngumeni resumed as Group CEO on June 1, 2026. Bagattini, who joined the Cape Town-based retailer in 2020, oversaw a period of strategic repositioning focused on strengthening the balance sheet and sharpening the group’s focus on high-return businesses.

The transaction falls below the threshold requiring categorisation under the JSE Listings Requirements and is therefore being announced voluntarily.