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Woolworths Holdings Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) Registration number 1929/001986/06 LEI: 37890095421E07184E97 Share code: WHL Share ISIN: ZAE000063863 Bond Company code: WHLI (‘WHL’) VOLUNTARY ANNOUNCEMENT: ACQUISITION OF ABSOLUTE PETS INTRODUCTION WHL announced today its intention to acquire 93.45% of the shares in privately-owned pet retailer Absolute Pets (Proprietary) Limited (‘Absolute Pets’), from Sanlam Private Equity and Absolute Pets management (‘the Transaction’). The remaining management-retained shareholding will be acquired by WHL over an agreed period, post the completion of the Transaction. Absolute Pets was established in 2005 and has become South Africa’s leading specialist pet care retailer, with over 150 stores nationwide. RATIONALE Pet care is an attractive and rapidly-developing market, with substantial growth potential. It is also an increasingly important category for Woolworths customers, who consider their pets an integral part of their families. Absolute Pets has a complementary brand positioning, a well-established market presence, and is led by a strong management team. The acquisition of Absolute Pets will accelerate Woolworths’ pet strategy by bringing together two strategically-aligned businesses, and position the Woolworths group well to become the end-to-end pet care destination of choice in South Africa. The existing Absolute Pets management team will continue to lead and operate the business under the Absolute Pets brand, with the full benefit and support that being part of the Woolworths group provides. TERMS The purchase consideration will be settled in cash, and the conclusion of the Transaction is subject to the fulfilment of both regulatory and commercial suspensive conditions customary for a transaction of this nature, including the approval by the competition authorities of South Africa. The Transaction falls below the threshold for categorisation in terms of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements, and therefore, this announcement is made voluntarily. Cape Town 31 October 2023 Financial Advisor Translink Corporate Finance Transactional Services Advisor Deloitte South Africa Legal Advisor Webber Wentzel Equity Sponsor and Debt Sponsor Investec Bank Limited
