Can you see what’s missing from this 'retro' Woolworths store?
By
Seia Ibanez
- Replies 8
In a suburb of one of Australia’s bustling cities, a Woolworths store has sparked a wave of nostalgia and a flurry of discussion among shoppers.
This isn't your typical Woolworths store, but a seeming relic of the past, a 'retro' supermarket that appears to have been untouched by the hands of time.
The most striking feature of this store is a most curious one: it’s not what the store has; it’s what it’s missing.
This surprising omission has left shoppers feeling like they've stepped into a time machine.
One shopper was right on the money when they posted about the store.
'Haven’t seen an old Woolworths in so long,' one shopper posted on social media.
'It had no self-checkout! I felt like I was visiting a historic landmark.'
Images of the Eastwood, Sydney store, complete with an old Woolworths logo and a conspicuous lack of self-checkouts, have stirred up excitement and curiosity among Aussies.
The red Woolworths wording with green stripes on either side is a blast from the past, having first debuted in stores across Australia 35 years ago in 1987.
'Gotta be the only store with zero self-serve machines,' commented another user.
'And that logo! How has head office managed to forget to update this place for over a decade.'
Another added: 'I think WW Eastwood may be the only one left in Sydney now [that doesn’t have self-checkouts].'
Speculation has been rife about why this store has been left in a time warp.
'They don't want to spend the money when Eastwood Center was supposed to be knocked down 15 years ago. And still is still waiting,' suggested one person.
'I interviewed for and was offered a job at Eastwood Woolies in 2008, which I ultimately didn't take up. They warned me this was expected to [be] supermarkets a temporary role as they expected the store to trade for another 6 months,' revealed another.
The introduction of self-service checkouts in supermarkets has been a contentious issue since their inception. Some argue that they take away jobs, while others appreciate the convenience and speed they offer.
British supermarket Booths recently announced it was removing self-service checkouts, labelling them as 'impersonal'.
However, major Aussie retailers ALDI, Coles, and Woolworths have previously announced they are sticking by the technology, saying they are the checkout of choice for most Australians.
Woolworths shared that while self-service is here to stay, 'there is always that option in all of our stores' for customers who prefer a team member to check out their groceries.
'We know [there are] many different opinions on the use of this technology, and that’s why we have a range of ways for customers to complete their shop,' a spokesperson said.
The 'Retro' Woolworths: A Symbol of Simpler Times?
While the Eastwood Woolworths may seem out of place in our modern, tech-driven world, it reminds us of simpler times. A time when every checkout was manned by a friendly face, and the pace of shopping was a little slower.
For some, the absence of self-checkouts is a welcome respite from the impersonal nature of modern shopping.
For others, it's inconvenient in an era where speed and efficiency are paramount.
Regardless of where you stand on the self-checkout debate, the 'retro' Woolworths store in Eastwood offers a unique shopping experience sure to spark nostalgia.
Have you been to Eastwood Woolworths? Do you miss the old days of manned checkouts, or do you prefer the convenience of self-service? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
This isn't your typical Woolworths store, but a seeming relic of the past, a 'retro' supermarket that appears to have been untouched by the hands of time.
The most striking feature of this store is a most curious one: it’s not what the store has; it’s what it’s missing.
This surprising omission has left shoppers feeling like they've stepped into a time machine.
One shopper was right on the money when they posted about the store.
'Haven’t seen an old Woolworths in so long,' one shopper posted on social media.
'It had no self-checkout! I felt like I was visiting a historic landmark.'
Images of the Eastwood, Sydney store, complete with an old Woolworths logo and a conspicuous lack of self-checkouts, have stirred up excitement and curiosity among Aussies.
The red Woolworths wording with green stripes on either side is a blast from the past, having first debuted in stores across Australia 35 years ago in 1987.
'Gotta be the only store with zero self-serve machines,' commented another user.
'And that logo! How has head office managed to forget to update this place for over a decade.'
Another added: 'I think WW Eastwood may be the only one left in Sydney now [that doesn’t have self-checkouts].'
Speculation has been rife about why this store has been left in a time warp.
'They don't want to spend the money when Eastwood Center was supposed to be knocked down 15 years ago. And still is still waiting,' suggested one person.
'I interviewed for and was offered a job at Eastwood Woolies in 2008, which I ultimately didn't take up. They warned me this was expected to [be] supermarkets a temporary role as they expected the store to trade for another 6 months,' revealed another.
The introduction of self-service checkouts in supermarkets has been a contentious issue since their inception. Some argue that they take away jobs, while others appreciate the convenience and speed they offer.
British supermarket Booths recently announced it was removing self-service checkouts, labelling them as 'impersonal'.
However, major Aussie retailers ALDI, Coles, and Woolworths have previously announced they are sticking by the technology, saying they are the checkout of choice for most Australians.
Woolworths shared that while self-service is here to stay, 'there is always that option in all of our stores' for customers who prefer a team member to check out their groceries.
'We know [there are] many different opinions on the use of this technology, and that’s why we have a range of ways for customers to complete their shop,' a spokesperson said.
The 'Retro' Woolworths: A Symbol of Simpler Times?
While the Eastwood Woolworths may seem out of place in our modern, tech-driven world, it reminds us of simpler times. A time when every checkout was manned by a friendly face, and the pace of shopping was a little slower.
For some, the absence of self-checkouts is a welcome respite from the impersonal nature of modern shopping.
For others, it's inconvenient in an era where speed and efficiency are paramount.
Regardless of where you stand on the self-checkout debate, the 'retro' Woolworths store in Eastwood offers a unique shopping experience sure to spark nostalgia.
Key Takeaways
- A shopper found an old-style Woolworths store in Eastwood, Sydney, that lacked self-checkouts and featured retro branding.
- The discovery sparked discussions on social media about the store's outdated appearance and the absence of self-service technology.
- Some speculated the store hadn't been updated due to expected redevelopment plans that had been delayed for years.
- Despite the debate over self-checkouts, Woolworths and other major Australian retailers continue to support the technology, offering both self-service and staffed options to customers.
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