There’s a lot going on this week in supermarket news, with new products, price hikes for old favourites and some supermarket policies in the gun.
Withdrawal denied: Customer’s experience sparks heated debate
A Woolworths customer’s recent experience has sparked a fiery debate over the obligation of supermarkets to provide cash-out services. The disgruntled shopper posted how Woolworths refused his request for a $500 cash withdrawal in a Facebook group dedicated to exposing cashless businesses.
The Woolworths staff member allegedly told the shopper he could only have $100 because there was shortage of cash in the register. Displeased with the explanation, the man accused the retailer of dishonesty.
The post sparked a polarising debate. Some argue that supermarkets are not banks and are not obligated to provide cash-out services, while others say shoppers should have the freedom to withdraw their desired amount at supermarket checkouts.
“To be fair, supermarkets are not banks, and they are under no obligation to do cash out at all,” posted one Facebook user.
Another added, “Really, that isn’t their problem. They don’t have to give you cash.”
Some respondents shared similar experiences at Coles, indicating this might be a broader issue.
Cash-out limits and withdrawal amounts at Woolworths are subject to staff discretion and the amount of cash available at any given time, according to Yahoo News.
Your chocolate cravings are about to eat into your weekly food budget
Chocoholics should prepare for a price shock as the cost of the beloved sweet treat is predicted to rise. The price of cocoa trading at its highest level, and there’s no sign of it dipping anytime soon.
High demand, production shortfall, and ominous weather forecasts in cocoa-growing regions are all contributing to the price hike. Cocoa futures have already risen by 21 per cent this year.
Crop disease and excessive rainfall have already led to less than impressive cocoa yields. The forecast for the next season predicts another deficit due to El Niño. This naturally occurring phenomenon in the tropical Pacific Ocean typically brings warmer global temperatures, creating unfavourable conditions for cocoa growth.
The (chocolate) ripple effect of these issues will likely be felt in our local supermarkets, where the cost of chocolate bars may see a significant increase. This is a stark reminder of the impact that global issues and climate change can have on our everyday lives and pleasures.
So sweet tooths might want to savour each piece of chocolate like it’s the last … at least for a while.
Digital price tags spark customer outrage
Waves of frustration are building over digital price tags. Accounts of electronic labels displaying ‘temporarily unavailable’ for items clearly in stock, and many showing no pricing information are making it harder for anyone meticulously monitoring their spending due to the escalating cost of living.
An online photo showing a tub of Bulla Sour Cream labelled as unavailable with no price has sparked outrage over the accuracy of Woolworths’ real-time digital system.
Image source: Reddit.
“There’s clearly a timing problem between [Woolworths] changing the labels on the shelves and entering the product in the computer system,” explained Ian Jarratt from the Queensland Consumers Association.
“Staff should be able to [update labels] easier with the electronic system. I think there’s less excuse for getting it wrong with the digital.”
Woolworths claims the digital tags can be updated in ‘real time’, allowing more staff to “serve customers and replenish shelves” instead of manually changing prices. However, it advises customers to consult staff if they do encounter issues with the electronic labels.
Still, the inconsistency between the digital tags and actual stock availability is causing problems for shoppers seeking the most economical option.
Although displaying prices isn’t compulsory, you would think it was in Woolworths’ best interest (and ours) to ensure accurate and timely information for its customers.
No more tears: Woolworths’ launches innovative tearless onions
Okay, so we’re a bit teary over Woolworths’ annoying customers, but we can soon say goodbye to teary eyes in the kitchen.
In an Australian first, Woolworths has launched the innovative ‘Happy Chop Tearless Onions’. From 12 July, these special onions will be available in NSW, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory, with stock expected to last until September.
So, how does this tearless onion work? According to Woolworths, these brown onions have been specifically grown to contain fewer tear-triggering chemicals. Unlike regular onions, the tear-inducing compounds in the ‘Happy Chop’ variety continue to decrease after harvest, making them even more tearless over time.
Woolworths also claims these onions still retain the flavour of a regular brown onion but with a slightly sweeter edge. They’re available in 500g packs for just $2.50, so get shopping (and chopping).
Oh, and here are this week’s best supermarket specials
Aldi
Sensible: Boneless Chicken Kievs 4-pack, $7.49. Feed the family with a cheap chook dinner. Packed with creamy garlic sauce and RSPA-approved.
Indulgent: Pigs in blankets, 290g pack $7.99. We’d probably call them a ‘sausage roll’. Whatever. Bang them in the oven for a quick and warming treat.
See the catalogue here.
Woolworths
Sensible: White Crow Tomato Sauce, 2L, $3.75. Two litres of sauce for half its normal price is a good deal you shouldn’t ignore.
Indulgent: Darrell Lea Chocolate-Coated Liquorice Bullets, 280g, $2.45. Again, at half price, make sure you treat yourself to some Darrell Lea goodies at Woolies this week.
See the catalogue here.
IGA
Sensible: Finish Powerball Ultimate Pro Dishwasher Tablets, 32-pack, $24. At half price, these dishwasher tabs come in at less than $1 per load of dishes – nothing to sneeze at when the cost of living is soaring.
Indulgent: Paul’s Custard 170g tubs, in Violet Crumble and Chupa Chup flavours, $2.50, save 50 cents. Indulgent bargains are a little thin at IGA this week, but 50 cents off delightful Paul’s custard tubs can’t be ignored.
See the catalogue here.
Coles
Sensible: Tip Top English Muffins, 6-pack, $3. English muffins are half price at Coles this week, so swap out your breakfast toast bread.
Indulgent: Poppin Microwave Popcorn, two 100g packs for $3. What’s movie night without popcorn? And now you can grab two bags for just $3. Start your weekend right!
See the catalogue here.
Also read: You know all the supermarket savings tips – or do you?
What do you think of the Woolworths cash-out rule? Do you have any supermarket news you’d like to share? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below?
Far from please with my local Woolworths. They have closed the 3 express lanes – and funnelled people into a lane to use the 5 self serve checkouts, only 1 being cash! The day I was there, there were only 2 other manned checkouts operating. I just handed the 1 carton of ice cream I had, to the staff girl standing there, and left. Another customer did the same. Will only use Coles across the road.
I work at Woolies, this just not true at my store, and I am a senior Cashier, we love to serve you, so does our store. This is all smoke and mirrors people.🙃
I’m sure Woolworths is going out of its way to encourage shoppers to shop elsewhere, probably to enable it to close even more staffed check-out machines. At the same time as it has complelely reorganised the supermarket so you can’t find items, it has also discontinued popular lines so you keep looking for items it no longer stocks. Additionally it has either removed or inaccurately placed price labels which are smaller so harder to read. With a Coles across the shopping centre and an Aldi across the car park it’s too easy to buy elsewhere which we now do.
It seems they have relocated their Masters Hardware experts to now sending Woolies the same way.
I certainly do not agree with the customer’s comments about not being able to withdraw $500 cash from a supermarket. The cash held by checkouts is used for people paying by cash and require change. Availability of cash withdrawals is a service only, but not to the extent of taking over banks and accepting large withdrawals of cash. Banks and ATM’s would have to be in the vicinity to provide larger withdrawals.
What an arrogant person. I’ve been told apologetically by cashiers many times over the years that they don’t have the required amount in their till, so have settled for a lesser amount, without throwing a tantrum.
Over many years I’ve been told sorry I don’t have enough cash in the til for that, then they say can give you x amount, or I could try the smoke / service counter. All said very politely & helpfully