Have you noticed Woolworths’ new paper bags? Shoppers are furious about this ‘small’ change!
- Replies 21
As we adjust to the environmentally responsible shift away from plastic bags, we at the Seniors Discount Club understand and appreciate the importance of making more eco-friendly choices.
However, recently, some sharp-sighted shoppers found something ‘underhanded’ about Woolworths' paper bags, making some buyers feel downright cheated!
A watchful Woolworths customer raised an eyebrow over the subtly reduced size of Woolworths' 25-cent paper bags, revealing the ‘sneaky change’ in a video he uploaded online.
User @Aussiman911 shared two videos highlighting the noticeable difference between the supermarket's older paper bags and their new, (allegedly) smaller counterparts – which have both been made in Australia.
‘You can't help yourself. You just have to keep making products smaller and smaller, don't you?’ The customer remarked.
‘You take away our plastic bags, tell us to use paper. Then you go and make your bags smaller. What? You didn't think we'd notice?’
It also seems that other online users agree with the shopper’s statement.
‘It’s so good when the products you buy don’t even fit in the bags,’ one noted sarcastically.
‘Hyperinflation at the supermarkets,’ another replied.
While another stated: ‘I don’t understand what’s going on with the tiny bags. I think they’re about to bring in some kind of food rationing limitation system or something.’
‘Wow. Good pickup. I hadn’t noticed – [the] price goes up as well,’ someone else claimed.
Others shared how they noticed other supermarket items ‘shrinking in size’.
‘Happens with everything even if it’s 15g or on a 750g product,’ one customer wrote.
‘Have you noticed how small the new green plastic trolleys are? It’s designed to fool you into thinking you have much to get for your money,’ another customer pointed out.
In response to this keen-eyed observation, a spokesperson for Woolworths confirmed that a change in the size of their paper bags has indeed occurred.
‘We have recently changed the height of the paper shopping bags in our stores to match the paper bags we use for online deliveries,' the spokesperson explained.
‘Many of our online orders are picked and packed in-store, so having one consistent size for all our paper bags helps simplify our processes.’
You can watch the video below:
‘The updated paper bag is now 3.5cm shorter, representing a slight reduction in the bag's overall volume. It has been tested to ensure it will still carry the same weight of groceries,’ the spokesperson continued.
That said, it is understood that Woolworths previously offered two slightly different paper bag sizes: one available for purchase at the checkout in physical stores and another used to fulfil online orders (packed and handled by store team members or at Customer Fulfilment Centres).
However, according to the shopper, both bags were bought in-store.
This new adjustment brings in-store paper bags in line with the bags used for online orders, which have been constructed to a particular size to fit perfectly inside the crates utilised for use in home delivery vans.
It’s all about efficiency for Woolworths, but it remains an unpalatable change for us customers who now pay the same price for a smaller bag.
This also comes only weeks after Woolworths completed its countrywide phase-out of their 15-cent reusable plastic bags. Since 2022, Woolworths has been phasing out all single-use plastic shopping bags in their stores, in line with state government bans on single-use plastics across Australia.
In a landmark moment earlier this week, Woolworths made a significant milestone in their eco-friendly movement. You can read more about this story here.
And that’s not the only change Woolworths has made to their paper bags… You can read more here.
Let's hear your opinions, members. Have you noticed this change in Woolworths paper bags? What do you think of the supermarket's move? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
However, recently, some sharp-sighted shoppers found something ‘underhanded’ about Woolworths' paper bags, making some buyers feel downright cheated!
A watchful Woolworths customer raised an eyebrow over the subtly reduced size of Woolworths' 25-cent paper bags, revealing the ‘sneaky change’ in a video he uploaded online.
User @Aussiman911 shared two videos highlighting the noticeable difference between the supermarket's older paper bags and their new, (allegedly) smaller counterparts – which have both been made in Australia.
‘You can't help yourself. You just have to keep making products smaller and smaller, don't you?’ The customer remarked.
‘You take away our plastic bags, tell us to use paper. Then you go and make your bags smaller. What? You didn't think we'd notice?’
It also seems that other online users agree with the shopper’s statement.
‘It’s so good when the products you buy don’t even fit in the bags,’ one noted sarcastically.
‘Hyperinflation at the supermarkets,’ another replied.
While another stated: ‘I don’t understand what’s going on with the tiny bags. I think they’re about to bring in some kind of food rationing limitation system or something.’
‘Wow. Good pickup. I hadn’t noticed – [the] price goes up as well,’ someone else claimed.
Others shared how they noticed other supermarket items ‘shrinking in size’.
‘Happens with everything even if it’s 15g or on a 750g product,’ one customer wrote.
‘Have you noticed how small the new green plastic trolleys are? It’s designed to fool you into thinking you have much to get for your money,’ another customer pointed out.
In response to this keen-eyed observation, a spokesperson for Woolworths confirmed that a change in the size of their paper bags has indeed occurred.
‘We have recently changed the height of the paper shopping bags in our stores to match the paper bags we use for online deliveries,' the spokesperson explained.
‘Many of our online orders are picked and packed in-store, so having one consistent size for all our paper bags helps simplify our processes.’
You can watch the video below:
‘The updated paper bag is now 3.5cm shorter, representing a slight reduction in the bag's overall volume. It has been tested to ensure it will still carry the same weight of groceries,’ the spokesperson continued.
That said, it is understood that Woolworths previously offered two slightly different paper bag sizes: one available for purchase at the checkout in physical stores and another used to fulfil online orders (packed and handled by store team members or at Customer Fulfilment Centres).
However, according to the shopper, both bags were bought in-store.
This new adjustment brings in-store paper bags in line with the bags used for online orders, which have been constructed to a particular size to fit perfectly inside the crates utilised for use in home delivery vans.
It’s all about efficiency for Woolworths, but it remains an unpalatable change for us customers who now pay the same price for a smaller bag.
This also comes only weeks after Woolworths completed its countrywide phase-out of their 15-cent reusable plastic bags. Since 2022, Woolworths has been phasing out all single-use plastic shopping bags in their stores, in line with state government bans on single-use plastics across Australia.
In a landmark moment earlier this week, Woolworths made a significant milestone in their eco-friendly movement. You can read more about this story here.
Key Takeaways
- A Woolworths customer spotted a significant change to the supermarket's paper bags, which have recently reduced in size.
- The change comes weeks after the phasing out of the supermarket's 15-cent reusable plastic bags.
- Woolworths confirmed the size reduction and stated it was for consistency across in-store and online orders.
- The updated paper bag is now 3.5cm shorter, but it has been tested to ensure it can still carry the same weight.
Let's hear your opinions, members. Have you noticed this change in Woolworths paper bags? What do you think of the supermarket's move? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!