Balmain shoppers beef with Woolworths over deli closure and price hike!
- Replies 18
In the quaint suburb of Balmain, a storm is brewing among the locals, and it's not the kind that brings much-needed rain to their gardens.
Instead, it's a storm of frustration and disappointment directed at the Australian supermarket giant, Woolworths.
The cause of their ire? A significant change in their local store is hitting them where it hurts most: their wallets.
The Darling Street Woolworths, a staple for the Balmain community, has recently undergone a transformation from a full-service supermarket to a Woolworths Metro—a smaller, more convenience-focused format.
This change has come with a bitter pill to swallow: the permanent closure of the beloved deli department.
The absence of the deli counter means that customers are now faced with a limited selection of prepackaged deli items, which, to add insult to injury, come with a hefty price tag.
One resident, who preferred to remain unnamed, voiced her outrage over the deli's closure and the subsequent price hike in deli meats.
‘Balmain Woolies in the last couple of months has changed over to a Metro layout, and in the last couple of weeks, the deli has completely closed, and they have fully moved over to pre-packaged deli meats,’ the shopper explained.
She noted that some leg ham and salami varieties, once a reasonable $37 per kilo when sliced fresh at the deli, are now being sold prepackaged for a staggering $75 per kilo.
‘I hate the idea that the labour component is not there. They’ve now removed jobs from the store, and human interaction is not there anymore, especially when people feel quite disenfranchised and lonely,’ she lamented.
'It's not just about the money,' she said. 'It's about the loss of human interaction, the jobs that have vanished, and the sense of community that the deli brought to our shopping experience.'
The local sentiment is clear: the deli will be ‘sorely missed’.
A notice outside the store spoke of a ‘much-needed facelift’, but for many, this makeover feels more like a downgrade.
‘Everyone I have spoken to says it [was] just making a rotten store even worse. The only positive is the staff, but those numbers are dwindling,’ the customer said.
‘Large retailers are overlooking these factors in the communities where they choose to make money.’
Over 1000 community members expressed their rejection of this decision by signing a Change.org petition, pleading with Woolworths to reconsider the Metro conversion of both the Balmain and nearby Alexandria stores.
The shift to Metro stores is part of a broader strategy by Woolworths, with only 10 per cent of these smaller outlets featuring a deli counter.
The company cited limited customer take-up as the reason behind this move.
However, residents argue that the change is a thinly veiled attempt to increase profits at the expense of variety and affordability.
‘Downgrading to a metro is just an underhanded way of Woolies putting up their prices,’ one shopper wrote on the petition.
‘We need more variety in deli items and not another sushi bar,’ another suggested.
In response to the backlash, a Woolworths spokesperson confirmed the deli's closure after some adjustments were made in the store.
‘The Balmain Metro is currently undergoing a renewal, with work now underway to bring a fresh new look to the store. While the deli is closing, the renewal process will make room for a wider range of grocery options tailored to the Balmain community,’ they said.
‘More than 250 new products, such as an expanded range of dips, cheeses, smallgoods, [and] biscuits, will be introduced to the store, meaning customers will still have access to a wide range of deli products.’
The overhaul will introduce 30 sliced and shaved products, reminiscent of those previously offered over the counter, now accessible to customers at the identical price per kilogram.
The transformation of the Balmain store is part of a trend that sees four Metro-style stores now in the surrounding areas, including Redfern, Erskineville, and Park Sydney, with the nearest full-service Woolworths a 20-minute drive away in Marrickville and Redfern.
‘Customers will experience a disruption during their shop in store, but our dedicated store team will be there to support any customers who need assistance. We also want to reassure customers that our new neighbourhood food store will still have everything they need for a full shop,’ the spokesperson explained.
While Woolworths Metro stores have seen a 21.6 per cent growth in sales, it's essential to consider whether this growth comes at the cost of customer satisfaction and community values.
The recent uproar over Woolworths' decision to hike prices following a significant change in their store layout has ignited a heated debate among customers.
While some are outraged by the sudden price increase, others are frustrated over the early closure of deli counters in Woolworths stores.
This contentious issue has sparked a flurry of opinions and discussions, with many questioning Woolworths' customer-centric approach and advocating for greater transparency in their decisions.
Have you noticed similar changes in your local supermarkets? How have they affected your shopping habits and budget? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Instead, it's a storm of frustration and disappointment directed at the Australian supermarket giant, Woolworths.
The cause of their ire? A significant change in their local store is hitting them where it hurts most: their wallets.
The Darling Street Woolworths, a staple for the Balmain community, has recently undergone a transformation from a full-service supermarket to a Woolworths Metro—a smaller, more convenience-focused format.
This change has come with a bitter pill to swallow: the permanent closure of the beloved deli department.
The absence of the deli counter means that customers are now faced with a limited selection of prepackaged deli items, which, to add insult to injury, come with a hefty price tag.
Balmain Woolworths shoppers were dismayed by the closure of the deli, resulting in increased prices for prepackaged deli goods. Credits: Shutterstock
One resident, who preferred to remain unnamed, voiced her outrage over the deli's closure and the subsequent price hike in deli meats.
‘Balmain Woolies in the last couple of months has changed over to a Metro layout, and in the last couple of weeks, the deli has completely closed, and they have fully moved over to pre-packaged deli meats,’ the shopper explained.
She noted that some leg ham and salami varieties, once a reasonable $37 per kilo when sliced fresh at the deli, are now being sold prepackaged for a staggering $75 per kilo.
‘I hate the idea that the labour component is not there. They’ve now removed jobs from the store, and human interaction is not there anymore, especially when people feel quite disenfranchised and lonely,’ she lamented.
'It's not just about the money,' she said. 'It's about the loss of human interaction, the jobs that have vanished, and the sense of community that the deli brought to our shopping experience.'
The local sentiment is clear: the deli will be ‘sorely missed’.
A notice outside the store spoke of a ‘much-needed facelift’, but for many, this makeover feels more like a downgrade.
‘Everyone I have spoken to says it [was] just making a rotten store even worse. The only positive is the staff, but those numbers are dwindling,’ the customer said.
‘Large retailers are overlooking these factors in the communities where they choose to make money.’
Over 1000 community members expressed their rejection of this decision by signing a Change.org petition, pleading with Woolworths to reconsider the Metro conversion of both the Balmain and nearby Alexandria stores.
The shift to Metro stores is part of a broader strategy by Woolworths, with only 10 per cent of these smaller outlets featuring a deli counter.
The company cited limited customer take-up as the reason behind this move.
However, residents argue that the change is a thinly veiled attempt to increase profits at the expense of variety and affordability.
‘Downgrading to a metro is just an underhanded way of Woolies putting up their prices,’ one shopper wrote on the petition.
‘We need more variety in deli items and not another sushi bar,’ another suggested.
In response to the backlash, a Woolworths spokesperson confirmed the deli's closure after some adjustments were made in the store.
‘The Balmain Metro is currently undergoing a renewal, with work now underway to bring a fresh new look to the store. While the deli is closing, the renewal process will make room for a wider range of grocery options tailored to the Balmain community,’ they said.
‘More than 250 new products, such as an expanded range of dips, cheeses, smallgoods, [and] biscuits, will be introduced to the store, meaning customers will still have access to a wide range of deli products.’
The overhaul will introduce 30 sliced and shaved products, reminiscent of those previously offered over the counter, now accessible to customers at the identical price per kilogram.
The transformation of the Balmain store is part of a trend that sees four Metro-style stores now in the surrounding areas, including Redfern, Erskineville, and Park Sydney, with the nearest full-service Woolworths a 20-minute drive away in Marrickville and Redfern.
‘Customers will experience a disruption during their shop in store, but our dedicated store team will be there to support any customers who need assistance. We also want to reassure customers that our new neighbourhood food store will still have everything they need for a full shop,’ the spokesperson explained.
While Woolworths Metro stores have seen a 21.6 per cent growth in sales, it's essential to consider whether this growth comes at the cost of customer satisfaction and community values.
The recent uproar over Woolworths' decision to hike prices following a significant change in their store layout has ignited a heated debate among customers.
While some are outraged by the sudden price increase, others are frustrated over the early closure of deli counters in Woolworths stores.
This contentious issue has sparked a flurry of opinions and discussions, with many questioning Woolworths' customer-centric approach and advocating for greater transparency in their decisions.
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