South Africa Woolworths Holdings, parent company of David Jones, has flagged a 20%-plus drop in full year earnings as the COVID-19 crisis decimates sales in clothing stores in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. This follows a sharp fall in sales at David Jones and Country Road Group stores in Australia and Woolworths' clothing and home stores in South Africa, even while most of the stores remain open to the public. Only two of David Jones' stores will close temporarily — the small format Barangaroo store in Sydney and James Street in Brisbane, with staff redeployed to other stores.

David Jones' sales fell 19% in the four weeks to the end of March, despite a 108% increase in online sales, as customer traffic slumped. In South Africa, Woolworths' fashion beauty and home sales fell 28% in the four weeks to the end of March, but food sales rose almost 28% 7.5% in January and February.