Woolworths suffers volumes hit as it grapples with bird flu, port woes and SA's weak economy

Shares in Woolworths fell more than 5% on Wednesday after it warned shareholders volumes have fallen in its core food and fashion businesses.

The JSE-listed retailer cited a struggling local economy, a bird flu outbreak that hit key product lines, port congestion, as well as the Cape Town taxi strike as major headaches.

Woolworths fared even worse in its other key market, Australasia, with its Country Road chain experiencing sales declines of more than 10% in the 20 weeks ended 12 November.