• Background: After a successful 10-month trial, Woolworths has announced that it will be the first South African retailer to embark on an extensive rollout of electric panel vans (EVs) in partnership with DSV and Everlectric to deliver their customers’ online purchases in Gauteng, Cape Town, and Durban.
• Description: The rollout will result in up to 70% of the retailer’s fleet being powered by electricity, which according to the figures from the trial will have on an annual basis the potential to save 700,000 kg of tailpipe carbon emissions. Woolworths’ announcement coincided with World Environment Day 2022, which was celebrated yesterday (5 June) with the theme of #OnlyOneEarth.
• Impact: Over the last three years, Woolworths has invested over R1bn in digital capabilities, providing new and innovative experiences to meet the evolving needs of customer as well as differentiates services. This has resulted in recently reporting an online sales growth of 22.4% with a total contribution of 13.7% to the group’s total turnover.

Photo Courtesy Woolworths