Change Management in Woolworths

Running head: CHANGE MANAGEMENT IN WOOLWORTHS
CHANGE MANAGEMENT IN WOOLWORTHS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................2
Analysis of the discussion questions..............................................................................2
a) Outlining key changes and reforms that have already been implemented by
Woolworths Supermarkets.....................................................................................................2
b) Identification and discussion of factors that are driving the need for change.......4
c) Identification of human resource development strategies that have been
implemented and proposed by Woolworths Supermarkets to overcome any resistance to
change....................................................................................................................................6
d) Analysis of ways by which Woolworths Supermarkets has aligned its future
strategies to manage change and innovation in a global business environment....................7
e) Reflection based on your own personal learnings and insights as a result of
analysing the Woolworths Supermarkets case study.............................................................8
Conclusion......................................................................................................................8
References....................................................................................................................10

2CHANGE MANAGEMENT IN WOOLWORTHS
Introduction
Change management is considered to be a combined term that is able to describe the
approaches related to preparation, supporting and helping individuals, teams and the
organizations in implementing the organizational change. The major drivers of change
comprise of process reviews, technological evolution, changes in consumer practices, crisis
and the pressure provided from new entrants. The mergers, acquisitions, restructuring of the
organizations are a vital part of the change management method (Al-Haddad & Kotnour,
2015).
Woolworths Supermarkets is an Australian grocery or superstore based chain that is
mainly maintained by the Woolworths Group. The firm was established in the year 1924 and
the company currently holds a large share of the Australian retail market along with Coles.
The firm specialises in the retailing of magazines, household products, stationery products,
baby and pet supplies (Woolworthsgroup.com.au. 2019). Woolworths has faced major
changes in the last few years with respect to the operations in the retail sector of the country.
Changes that have recently taken place in the firm and drivers of the changes will be
discussed in the report in detail.
Analysis of the discussion questions
a) Outlining key changes and reforms that have already been implemented by
Woolworths Supermarkets
Woolworths Food Group has recently developed a three-year approach in order to win
the trust of customers. The company aims at increasing the share of consumers’ food that is
spent with the help of lower prices and this leads to the improvement of the all the aspects of
shopping experience of customers. The organization has decided to place the customers at the
centre of its activities. The overall experience that is offered to the consumers is considered to

3CHANGE MANAGEMENT IN WOOLWORTHS
be a vital aspect that has an influence on the relationships that have been developed with
them (Alvesson & Sveningsson, 2015). The strategy developed by Woolworths is mainly
based on the three major principles that are include the following,
 Offer – Improvement of the core offer in order to guarantee that the consumers
can provide first priority to Woolworths.
 Growth – Innovation based on the ways by which the needs of customers can
be met.
 Efficiency – Development of the consumer value by organising for the success
and execution of “Lean Retail” based model (Ausfoodnews.com.au. 2019).
The company has thereby planned for the implementation of some major changes in
the operations with the aim of improving the position the company has developed in the retail
industry. The different strategies that have been implemented by Woolworths in this case are
as follows,
Pricing and the range strategy – Woolworths has developed the value and new
price based strategy that can help the firm in order to neutralise its major
competitor Coles and reducing the influence of Aldi on sales as well. The
“Own brands” of Woolworths have also been able to play a major role in
competing with the limited range of the discounters (Cameron & Green,
2015).
Refurbishments and new stores – Woolworths has stated that the strategy is
mainly involved in rebalancing the capital expenditure between the existing
and new store based refurbishments. Woolworths has planned to refurbish
greater than 80% of the stores per year for the future (Ausfoodnews.com.au.
2019).