Fed up with Woolworths? You won't believe what people are finding in the digital price tags!
- Replies 8
Nowadays, we heavily depend on technological advancements to simplify our lives.
From the second we wake up to the moment we fall asleep, these improvements make life more convenient in many aspects.
Regrettably, this isn't always the reality for everyone, as demonstrated by recent experiences of some Woolworths shoppers in Sydney.
In a social media post, a local shopper expressed frustration over the supermarket's new digital price tags.
Captured in the photograph that accompanied the post was a tub of Bulla Sour Cream, resting comfortably on the shelf, but below it, a digital price tag indicated the item was 'temporarily unavailable' and showed no price at all!
The shopper couldn’t withhold their fury as they shared their experience, revealing multiple occurrences of this during their Woolies visit.
'The new digital price tags are infuriating! There were like ten examples of this today. Some with like 20 items on the shelf but no prices displayed,' the shopper lamented.
‘I just want to know the per unit cost of the item so I can compare it to the other sizes and brands. Stood there like a [fool] googling it.’
‘Honestly, I can't really afford to shop these days without getting the most economical option,’ they added.
In an era where all of us are mindful of our expenses, being unable to check an item's price before reaching the checkout can be problematic.
Why? This can hinder our decision-making process as we cannot compare the cost of the item to other products.
Ian Jarratt from the Queensland Consumers Association suggested this incident could be down to a 'glitch in the system' and buyers are the ones who suffer, as they can't make the best choice while shopping.
He explained, ‘There's clearly a timing problem between [Woolworths] changing the labels on the shelves and entering the product in the computer system. 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.’
Earlier, Woolworths had informed Yahoo News that the implementation of electronic labelling in 2022 was designed to provide real-time updates, freeing up staff to assist customers and restock shelves instead of manually changing prices.
When approached for specific details in this case, Woolworths was unable to provide them with a comprehensive response. It is uncertain whether this issue is widespread or isolated.
A spokesperson stated, ‘If there's an issue with the electronic shelf labelling, please ask a team member. It's the same advice we give to customers if one of the paper tickets has fallen from the shelf.’
Although displaying prices on products is not mandatory, Ian stressed that it is in Woolworths' best interest to provide pricing information. This allows customers to make informed purchasing decisions while in the store.
'We are champions of unit pricing, and we continue to advocate very strongly for it to be provided better than it is at the moment,' he insisted.
If having a price displayed when a product is available is not necessarily a requirement, but it would be a wise business practice, according to Ian.
He mused, 'As a consumer, you would expect [supermarkets] to be displaying the price there because [shoppers] have got to make a decision while there... if there is some product left, they should have it there.'
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology, businesses must address these challenges promptly and provide reliable solutions.
By ensuring that systems operate seamlessly and pricing information is readily available, retailers can enhance the overall shopping experience for their customers.
Have you ever encountered similar issues with digital price tags or other technological glitches while shopping? Share your thoughts and experiences on this.
From the second we wake up to the moment we fall asleep, these improvements make life more convenient in many aspects.
Regrettably, this isn't always the reality for everyone, as demonstrated by recent experiences of some Woolworths shoppers in Sydney.
In a social media post, a local shopper expressed frustration over the supermarket's new digital price tags.
Transparent pricing information empowers consumers to compare options, make economic choices, and manage their expenses effectively. Source: Reddit
Captured in the photograph that accompanied the post was a tub of Bulla Sour Cream, resting comfortably on the shelf, but below it, a digital price tag indicated the item was 'temporarily unavailable' and showed no price at all!
The shopper couldn’t withhold their fury as they shared their experience, revealing multiple occurrences of this during their Woolies visit.
'The new digital price tags are infuriating! There were like ten examples of this today. Some with like 20 items on the shelf but no prices displayed,' the shopper lamented.
‘I just want to know the per unit cost of the item so I can compare it to the other sizes and brands. Stood there like a [fool] googling it.’
‘Honestly, I can't really afford to shop these days without getting the most economical option,’ they added.
In an era where all of us are mindful of our expenses, being unable to check an item's price before reaching the checkout can be problematic.
Why? This can hinder our decision-making process as we cannot compare the cost of the item to other products.
Ian Jarratt from the Queensland Consumers Association suggested this incident could be down to a 'glitch in the system' and buyers are the ones who suffer, as they can't make the best choice while shopping.
He explained, ‘There's clearly a timing problem between [Woolworths] changing the labels on the shelves and entering the product in the computer system. 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.’
While glitches and technical issues are not uncommon in our increasingly digitised world, it is essential for retailers to prioritise accuracy and reliability, especially when it comes to displaying prices. Image by boxedwater from unsplash
Earlier, Woolworths had informed Yahoo News that the implementation of electronic labelling in 2022 was designed to provide real-time updates, freeing up staff to assist customers and restock shelves instead of manually changing prices.
When approached for specific details in this case, Woolworths was unable to provide them with a comprehensive response. It is uncertain whether this issue is widespread or isolated.
A spokesperson stated, ‘If there's an issue with the electronic shelf labelling, please ask a team member. It's the same advice we give to customers if one of the paper tickets has fallen from the shelf.’
Although displaying prices on products is not mandatory, Ian stressed that it is in Woolworths' best interest to provide pricing information. This allows customers to make informed purchasing decisions while in the store.
'We are champions of unit pricing, and we continue to advocate very strongly for it to be provided better than it is at the moment,' he insisted.
If having a price displayed when a product is available is not necessarily a requirement, but it would be a wise business practice, according to Ian.
He mused, 'As a consumer, you would expect [supermarkets] to be displaying the price there because [shoppers] have got to make a decision while there... if there is some product left, they should have it there.'
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology, businesses must address these challenges promptly and provide reliable solutions.
By ensuring that systems operate seamlessly and pricing information is readily available, retailers can enhance the overall shopping experience for their customers.
Have you ever encountered similar issues with digital price tags or other technological glitches while shopping? Share your thoughts and experiences on this.
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