Business

Premium grocery store taking over Engen petrol stations in South Africa

Malcolm Libera

 ·2 Sep 2026

Woolworths now has over 100 premium Foodstop stores at Engen petrol stations across South Africa.

These Woolworths stores started as a small experiment more than two decades ago, and has grown into one of the country’s most successful retail partnerships.

Woolworths Foodstops can now be found at 101 Engen forecourts, providing motorists with access to ready-made meals, fresh produce, and other premium grocery products while filling up their vehicles.

The partnership began in 2000, when Woolworths and Engen launched a pilot project involving two Foodstop stores at petrol stations in Cape Town.

The concept was designed to test whether customers would support a 24-hour convenience store offering Woolworths products to motorists on the move.

Following a successful trial, the two companies formally expanded their strategic partnership in 2003.

The rollout initially included three stores in Gauteng before expanding to other major commuter routes around the country.

Over time, the Foodstop concept became much more than a small convenience offering for Woolworths.

The retailer increasingly viewed petrol station stores as an important way to reach customers outside traditional shopping centres and supermarkets.

In 2015, Woolworths said it was focused on delivering convenience across its different retail formats, adding that it was trading from 62 Engen forecourts after opening seven new locations during the year.

By 2016, Woolworths had 68 Foodstop stores at Engen forecourts, rising to 72 in 2017 and 74 in 2018.

By 2021, following the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and changing consumer shopping habits, the number had increased to 81.

Woolworths said at the time that it aimed to “deliver convenience across all formats and channels”, with its Engen stores forming an increasingly important part of this strategy.

The partnership has accelerated further in recent years as Woolworths has invested heavily in convenience shopping and on-demand delivery.

Woolies After Dark

The retailer opened its 100th Engen forecourt store during the 2025 financial year, marking a major milestone for the partnership.

“This past year alone marked the opening of our 100th forecourt, the launch of ‘Woolies After Dark’ in partnership with Uber Eats, and the ongoing strong growth of our on-demand offering, Woolies Dash,” the group said.

The Foodstop network has also become an important part of Woolworths’ digital delivery strategy.

Through Woolies After Dark, selected Foodstop locations operate as fulfilment points for late-night deliveries through Uber Eats.

The service is now available at more than 70 Foodstops and allows customers to order a curated range of Woolworths products until midnight.

Woolworths said the service offers customers “the best of our curated Woolies assortment, conveniently delivered until midnight”.

The continued expansion of Foodstops comes as Woolworths Food remains the strongest-performing part of the wider Woolworths Holdings group.

According to the retailer’s latest results for the 52 weeks ended 28 June 2026, Woolworths Food increased revenue to R54.33 billion, compared with R51.47 billion in the previous year.

The division generated R3.23 billion in profit before tax and accounted for around 65% of group turnover and 69% of adjusted group EBIT.

“Woolworths Food remained the stand-out performer in an intensely competitive environment, delivering a consistently strong performance throughout the period,” the group said.

It added that “increased customer footfall and basket size are testament to the enduring trust in our brand, quality, and value”.

The table below outlines the steady growth in the number of Woolworths convenience stores operating on Engen forecourts, compiled from individual annual reports and the latest multi-year reviews: