Woolworths’ flagship Food Emporium store could lose R200,000 every week

Woolworths’ new Food Emporium in Dainfern could lose R200,000 every week if its liquor segment does not operate.

The retail giant’s store in Dainfern was unveiled earlier this year as a flagship outlet, with several luxury offerings.

These amenities and specialised sections extended beyond what is offered by the majority of its stores, and included:

• “A beautifully refreshed Florist, offering fresh seasonal blooms and thoughtfully curated arrangements.
• The What’s Cooking Bar, where customers can discover recipe inspiration and sample delicious products.
• An expanded Bakery, featuring freshly baked artisanal breads and pastries.
• Dedicated Fishmonger and Butcher counters operated by knowledgeable staff who can offer expert advice.
• A Specialist Cheese counter showcasing an extensive selection of local and international cheeses.
• A Sushi Counter preparing fresh sushi daily.
• An Elevated Pantry with an expanded range of premium local and international pantry favourites.”

While the flagship had several features when it opened, one notable store section was missing – the WCellar.

WCellar is Woolworths’ integrated liquor store, which is featured at several locations and typically carries a range of wines, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages.

For its Dainfern location, Woolworths applied for a liquor license in 2022 and received conditional approval from the Gauteng Provincial Liquor Board.

The conditions for the license included photos of the store after construction had been completed and a subsequent site inspection.

Following approval, Woolworths’ Dainfern store experienced several delays, with construction only starting in March 2026.

The store then officially opened in August 2026, roughly four years after the retailer had applied for a liquor license for the location.

Before the store’s official opening, the Gauteng Liquor Board informed Woolworths that its provisional license had lapsed and that a new application would need to be submitted.

Woolworths goes to the High Court

Following the lapse of the liquor license, Woolworths approached the Gauteng High Court for approval and an urgent interdict.

The urgent interdict would allow Woolworths’ Dainfern location to sell alcohol provisionally while proceedings over its approval took place.

The High Court granted the interdict, while the decision over the ultimate approval of the licence is ongoing.

The court also ruled that a “punitive costs order is justified” for the first part of the case, meaning the provincial liquor board will have to pay Woolworths’ legal fees.

One part of the court’s decision to grant the interdict was the financial losses Woolworths would incur if its WCellar did not operate.

The High Court’s ruling states that the WCellar at the Dainfern food emporium is expected to generate R10.4 million in annual turnover.

“It projects annual gross turnover of R10.4 million, equating to approximately R200,000 per week in foregone sales,” the High Court said.

“Each week that the applicant cannot trade, it suffers permanently lost revenue and customer diversion to competitors.”

The court also noted Woolworths’ losses from WCellar not being part of the store’s initial opening, which was a one-off event.

“The launch momentum of the Food Emporium, a flagship development, is a discrete and unrepeatable commercial event,” it said.

It was also ruled that the Gauteng Provincial Liquor Board was directly responsible for these losses, due to its failure to grant the liquor license.

“The harm flows directly from the Board’s refusal to finalise an application that had received conditional approval, after the applicant had completed the premises in accordance with its undertakings,” the court said.

Woolworths’ Dainfern location is now allowed to operate its WCellar, provided all necessary regulations are complied with, until the High Court rules on the ultimate licence approval.

If this is not approved, Woolworths could lose R200,000 every week from lost turnover.