Steve Donohue named managing director of Woolworths' Progressive unit

Thursday 23rd April 2015

Woolworths, the Australian retailer, named Steve Donohue as managing director of its Progressive Enterprises unit, which operates Countdown supermarkets in New Zealand.

Donohue has been acting in the role after the previous incumbent, Dave Chambers, moved to Australia as director for Woolworths supermarkets. Prior to heading up Countdown's 18,000 staff across its 174 supermarkets, Donohue was general manager of merchandise for the chain.

Chambers fronted for Progressive during last year's allegations by then Labour MP Shane Jones criticising what he alleged were anti-competitive tactics by the main supermarket chains. The Commerce Commission investigated but found no cause for action.

Earlier this year, Countdown increased first-half earnings 2.9 percent to $169.1 million in the year ended Jan. 4, as it cut costs and boosted volumes to compensate for lower prices. Revenue rose 1.1 percent to $3.05 billion. The chain said gross margin fell 6 basis points to 23.19 percent as prices dropped 0.3 percent in the competitive environment.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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