Woolworths is a household name in South Africa; a retail giant that has managed to maintain customer loyalty generation after generation. However, for Woolworths, being a market leader is about more than just their fiscal success: it's about creating meaningful socio-economic transformation in South Africa. Founded over 86 years ago, Woolworths has a deep history in South Africa, garnering long-lasting support from customers who have remained loyal to the brand for decades. Yogan Naidu, Head of Non-Trade Procurement, cites the company's rich heritage as the reason why it remains a market leader today. "At Woolworths, we really pride ourselves on our rich history. I think the South African market really identifies with that because it is quite a historic and emotional market. Our core values give us a competitive edge because you can really see the impact we have made in the country. So, for instance, we were among the first local retailers to provide our employees with benefits that weren't offered by some of our competitors at the time such as a pension fund, medical aid and maternity leave. I think our customers really identify with that." A shopping experience like no other Customer experience can make or break a brand, and it is a core value which is ingrained into the ethos of Woolworths. When designing a store, every minute detail is meticulously considered to ensure that it offers customers the ultimate shopping experience. "If you look at the way that our stores are designed you can see that it's a really comfortable place to shop," reflects Naidu. "In my opinion, it's the little touches and the customer service which makes Woolworths a market leader. So, for instance, something as simple as a grocery trolleys in one of our stores will be of a superior quality to that of our competitors. "Not only do we pride ourselves on our hygiene standards and high-quality products, but we also make sure that we take care of you as a customer when you walk into one of our stores. We invest heavily in research and development and the renovation of our stores to ensure that the shopping experience is enjoyable for the customer." A visual brand Visual merchandising and design is a vital tool that is embedded into Woolworths' DNA. Over the decades, the company has worked alongside leading suppliers to source innovative, market-leading displays which connect with their customers on an emotional and visual level. "At Woolworths, we really try to communicate with our customers," says Naidu. "If you walk around one of our stores you'll notice that with our packaging, store design, and visual merchandising, we really speak to our customers and inform them about issues that matter to us. So, for instance, when we talk about sustainability, we talk to customers about how much electricity we currently use and how this is provided by green energy. We make information publicly available in our store environment. "Our suppliers, such as Global Display, are integrated into the business and that's how we capture the customer's imagination and deliver the ultimate customer experience. For example, if you walk into a Woolworths store during Christmas season you'll see that our stores really embrace the festivities."

Question 1 [25]

"We want to explore opportunities with suppliers in the market and significantly improve how we support small businesses, create jobs, and transform the country. That's our vision for Woolworths and that's what I am really passionate about."

Critically analyze the vision of Woolworths as put forward by Naidu. As a follow-up to this, propose a vision for Woolworths.

*NB - Give References