Woolworths trademarks: expansion into trademark classes, 1970–2025
Video: how Woolworths extended its South African trademarks into new classes from 1970 to 2025 – from coffee, flour & sweets, clothing, meat, dairy & oils into new fields. 45 of 45 classes, 2,287 trademarks. South African trademark statistics by Sibanda & Zantwijk.
Transcript
- Before 1970, Woolworths already used 9 classes, including class 25 clothing, class 3 cosmetics & cleaning, class 5 pharmaceuticals, class 29 meat, dairy & oils, class 30 coffee, flour & sweets.
- 1971: Woolworths moves into class 1 chemicals; class 2 paints; class 4 oils & fuels; class 6 metal goods; class 7 machines; class 8 hand tools; class 9 electronics & software; class 10 medical devices; class 11 lighting & appliances; class 12 vehicles; class 13 firearms & fireworks; class 14 jewellery & watches; class 15 musical instruments; class 17 rubber & plastics; class 18 leather & bags; class 19 building materials; class 20 furniture; class 21 kitchenware; class 22 ropes & tents; class 23 yarns; class 26 haberdashery; class 27 carpets; class 28 toys & sports goods; class 33 wines & spirits; class 34 tobacco.
- 1972: Woolworths moves into class 35 advertising & retail; class 36 finance & insurance; class 37 construction & repair; class 38 telecoms; class 39 transport & travel; class 40 processing materials; class 41 education & entertainment; class 42 tech & IT services.
- 2002: Woolworths moves into class 43 restaurants & hotels.
- 2009: Woolworths moves into class 44 medical & beauty care.
- 2018: Woolworths moves into class 45 legal & security.
- By 2025, Woolworths had trademarks in 45 of the 45 classes.