“SA Has Its Own Woolworths”: Tourist Baffled After Finding Woolworths Stores in SA After UK Closure
- A UK man shared a TikTok video after spotting a Woolworths store in Zambia and later in South Africa, confused about how the brand was still operating
- The man joked that Woolworths had 'faked its own death and moved to Africa' after the retailer closed down in the UK
- South Africans were quick to set the record straight, explaining that the two brands share a name but have completely separate origin
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: TikTok
A UK man got the shock of his life when he walked into a Woolworths store in Lusaka, Zambia, on 30 June 2026, and then spotted one again in South Africa. Back home, the Woolworths brand had collapsed and closed its doors, so seeing it alive and well on the African continent left him genuinely baffled.
The creator, TikTok user @lvinosupremo, shared the moment online with a caption that read: "When you find that Woolworths fakes its own death and moves to Africa." He was especially surprised to find that South Africa even had a Woolworths Foods, noting that the brand appeared to be thriving in a way that had not happened in the UK for years.
Woolworths SA has nothing to do with the UK brand
What the man did not know is that the two companies are entirely unrelated. South Africa's Woolworths was founded in the 1930s and has grown into one of the country's popular retail chains, operating independently from any British business of the same name.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
The similar name came about during a period when international trademark laws were far less strict, meaning two separate companies could operate under identical names in different parts of the world without conflict.
Watch the TikTok video that sparked the debate below:
Mzansi reacts to the UK man's Woolworths confusion
User @Kamva🇿🇦🎱 said:
"Bro, there's a difference between Africa and SA, so be specific next time u post about SA."
User @Thembi_Soci_Is_My_Name wrote:
"SA has its own Woolworths 😂."
User @Kayson Moeti explained:
"Woolworths SA is a completely different company from that of the UK & AU. Just happened to have the same name because trademark laws were not as strict internationally."
User @Correctorbot added:
"The Woolworths you see there is a South African company created in the 1930s."
User @Pink_Pilot reacted:
"This is embarrassing. It's not the liquidated Woolworths from the UK 😂."
User @SitsInSilence quipped:
"Does he know about Nando's?"
3 Briefly News articles about Woolworths
- Woolworths South Africa captured a lucky shopper racing through the aisles during an epic R50,000 trolley dash, sparking envy online as viewers were impressed by her selection choice.
- A Cape Town content creator showcased a range of Woolworths home items, clothing and accessories currently on sale at 50% off, impressing many viewers.
- A content creator shared a comparison of two nearly identical pyjama sets from Woolworths and Mr Price, noting their huge price difference.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
