Woolworths is aiming to grow its presence in school tuck shops nationwide, following strong early interest from its initial partnerships.

The premium grocery retailer has been exploring new ways to extend its brand beyond traditional retail, with school-based food outlets emerging as a key opportunity.

So far, two Cape Town schools—Springfield Convent School and Curro Century City—have partnered with Woolworths Foods to run tuck shops operated entirely by the retailer’s own staff.

Springfield Convent, located in Wynberg, was the first to come on board, launching its Woolworths tuck shop in 2023. The outlet was uniquely set up using a converted shipping container.

More recently, in January 2026, Curro Century City became the second school in the country to introduce a Woolworths-run tuck shop.

The Curro facility operates on a cashless basis, allowing students to make purchases using bank cards or the Karri App. The app also gives parents oversight of spending and helps them plan meals ahead of time.

Although no formal rollout plan has been announced since the Curro launch, CEO Roy Bagattini has indicated that tuck shops remain part of the group’s broader growth strategy.

According to comments reported by the Sunday Times, Bagattini said the company’s ventures division is exploring further opportunities across tuck shops, food trucks and events.

He noted growing demand from schools seeking healthier and higher-quality food options for learners, adding that the initial tuck shop launches have performed exceptionally well.

Bagattini also pointed out that the initiative presents an opportunity to build brand familiarity among younger consumers.

Woolworths Ventures—home to businesses such as Absolute Pets, WEdits, WCafe, Woolworths Now Now, and the tuck shop concept—has recorded double-digit sales growth for the six months ending 31 December 2025.

The division is increasingly viewed as a key driver of future growth for the retailer.

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