The Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) share price was arguably one of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO)'s top value shares in financial year 2022 (FY22).
And what a year it was. The supermarket giant battled through COVID-19 outbreaks, supply chain issues, and numerous acquisition challenges.
As of the final close of FY22, the Woolworths share price was $35.60, 0.6% lower than it was at the end of FY21. For context, the ASX 200 fell around 10% last financial year.
So, what went on with the ASX 200 staple over the period? Let's take a look.
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The Woolworths share price outperformed in FY22
Let's cast ourselves back to the start of FY21. Sydney was in the first few weeks of its multi-month COVID-19 lockdown, Australia's vaccine rollout was underway, and Woolworths had only just split from Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV).
Here are all the major happenings that have impacted the Woolworths share price since then.
Woolworths' earnings
Woolworths' FY21 earnings, released in August 2021, detailed a strong year's performance.
The company's sales increased 5.7% to around $67.3 billion in FY21 while its earnings before interest, and tax rose 13.7% to around $3.7 billion. Finally, its after tax profits lifted 22.9% to $1.9 billion in FY21.
It also announced a $2 billion off-market buyback.
Sadly, the first half of FY22 wasn't so favourable for the supermarket giant.
Its after-tax profit slipped 6.5% from that of the prior consecutive period, mostly due to costs associated with the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 impacts take toll on Woolworths share price
The Woolworths share price dived 7.6% in mid-December when the company updated the market on the expected impact of COVID-19 outbreaks.
Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci commented on the struggles facing the company during the first half, saying:
The first half of FY22 has been one of the most challenging halves we have experienced in recent memory due to the far-reaching impacts of the COVID Delta strain and its impact on our end-to-end stock flow and operating rhythm.
The supermarket later thanked customers for their patience as the ongoing COVID-19-related challenges saw some shelves empty in early January.
One acquisition, two acquisition
And finally, Woolworths was on the hunt for acquisitions in FY22.
It entered a multi-horse race for formerly-ASX listed Australian Pharmaceutical Industries in early December. It ultimately gave up the chase, allowing ASX 200 conglomerate Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) to snap up API in March.
But that wasn't the last of it. The supermarket operator put forward a $1.05 per share bid for an 80.2% stake in online marketplace MyDeal.com.au Ltd (ASX: MYD) in May.
The deal would see MyDeal taken off the ASX, with the remaining 19.8% stake held by its management.
The bid represented a 62.8% premium on MyDeal's previous close and hasn't yet been finalised.
