Marty Hamnett, general manager of supermarket operations at Australian outfit Woolworths, is to retire at the end of the financial year after 40 years with the retail giant.

Formerly general manager of the company’s Big W general merchandise division, Hamnett led the integration of Progressive Enterprise, the New Zealand supermarket business acquired by Woolworths in the break-up of Foodland in 2005.

Hamnett, 54, is to leave the retailer in June and said he does not plan to take another job.