Major changes at Woolworths spark fury—Here’s how your local deli counter might be affected!
- Replies 25
Are you a fan of the fresher, hand-cut meats from your local Woolworths deli counter?
Unfortunately, you may have reason to worry because Woolworths is undergoing a trial in a handful of their Queensland stores that may affect the way their delis are run.
Recently, one Woolies shopper was left feeling angry and extremely worried after noticing a major change at their local store.
In an online post, the shopper revealed that Woolworths had replaced the service counter—the one with deli items sold by individual weight—with a 'Deli Express' section.
There, customers can now find prepackaged meats and smallgoods in plastic packs. This means that Woolies customers will be unable to control specific options, such as how much meat they get or the cuts they prefer.
Not only that, but the customer further divulged that a Woolworths employee had informed them that the change would be coming to more stores across the nation.
It is understood that some stores have been selected for the trial due to lower customer demand for fresh meat compared to other stores.
The shopper also expressed his disappointment over the changes, saying it’s ‘the last straw’.
‘As part of Woolworths oh so glorious “makeover”, Woolworths no longer has a deli but has a “Deli Express” where you can now get you favourite meats prepackaged in 200-gram packets,’ the shopper added.
‘Oh, the flow of plastic waste just in time for Christmas. I’m making the switch. I’m not buying four packets of ham for a kilogram.’
‘Had a chat with an employee, and they said Delis are now going to be a rare sight in stores.’
The customer also stated, ‘Employees advised it’s coming to a Woolworths near you soon’ and that ‘minimal purchases, if any, will now be made from here’.
Other users from social media show their dismay at the change made by Woolies.
‘I hate this and refuse to buy from it,’ one said.
‘Can’t control the portion, hardly ever on sale (plus they’ve jacked up the RRP price), can’t guarantee ham ain’t slimy, increase in single-use plastic…hard no,’ another said.
‘Cheaper and easier to have it produced off-site or overseas,’ one wrote.
However, former supermarket employees weren’t surprised by the change.
‘Supermarket deli counters are no loss. Having worked at one, I can tell you most of the products are the same as the ones on the shelves,’ one said.
‘They just come in bulk packaging then are unwrapped to sit out in the fresh air so that [customers] think they’re getting some gourmet bacon and sausage rolls,’ another replied.
‘Worked in delis all through my teens and managed them in my 20s, they are the least profitable departments in the store and generate the most food waste,’ one added.
‘Also customers have been moving away from delis for a while, in my experience a generational thing too…it was rare to see people under 40 or 50 come up to the counter,’ another wrote.
‘I’m really surprised it’s taken Woolies this long to can them as they’ve been talking about it for well over a decade,’ one said.
‘I’m not a fan of this and all the plastic waste it will produce, though,’ another added.
It seems that the plastic-packed notion is on the rise across the major supermarkets. Woolworths is just the latest retailer to join the trend, which was started by rival Coles several years ago.
Meanwhile, other commenters inquired if ‘Deli Express’ aisles will be in all Woolworths stores given the renovations at their local Woolworths, including new deli counters.
‘They just did a massive refurbishment on the Woolworths where I live, and there is still a traditional deli, although 25 per cent smaller than it previously was,’ one shared.
‘But still adequate, but definitely not as big a range as they previously had,’ someone else replied.
‘You must just be talking about your woolies in particular. My woolies is less than a year old, and the serviced deli is well and truly decked out,’ one responded.
It is understood that although WooIies has been trialling the new deli express, no employee has been impacted by it.
Woolworths continues to have fresh deli counters in the majority of its stores, specifically in more than 1,000 supermarkets nationwide, while implementing the trial.
What do you think of this story, members? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Unfortunately, you may have reason to worry because Woolworths is undergoing a trial in a handful of their Queensland stores that may affect the way their delis are run.
Recently, one Woolies shopper was left feeling angry and extremely worried after noticing a major change at their local store.
In an online post, the shopper revealed that Woolworths had replaced the service counter—the one with deli items sold by individual weight—with a 'Deli Express' section.
A shopper expressed concern as his local Woolies now has a ‘Deli Express’ section instead of the former ‘Deli Counter’. Image: Reddit
There, customers can now find prepackaged meats and smallgoods in plastic packs. This means that Woolies customers will be unable to control specific options, such as how much meat they get or the cuts they prefer.
Not only that, but the customer further divulged that a Woolworths employee had informed them that the change would be coming to more stores across the nation.
It is understood that some stores have been selected for the trial due to lower customer demand for fresh meat compared to other stores.
The shopper also expressed his disappointment over the changes, saying it’s ‘the last straw’.
‘As part of Woolworths oh so glorious “makeover”, Woolworths no longer has a deli but has a “Deli Express” where you can now get you favourite meats prepackaged in 200-gram packets,’ the shopper added.
‘Oh, the flow of plastic waste just in time for Christmas. I’m making the switch. I’m not buying four packets of ham for a kilogram.’
Popular deli buys are now selling in the new ‘Deli Express’ section as pre-packaged meats. Image: Reddit
‘Had a chat with an employee, and they said Delis are now going to be a rare sight in stores.’
The customer also stated, ‘Employees advised it’s coming to a Woolworths near you soon’ and that ‘minimal purchases, if any, will now be made from here’.
Other users from social media show their dismay at the change made by Woolies.
‘I hate this and refuse to buy from it,’ one said.
‘Can’t control the portion, hardly ever on sale (plus they’ve jacked up the RRP price), can’t guarantee ham ain’t slimy, increase in single-use plastic…hard no,’ another said.
‘Cheaper and easier to have it produced off-site or overseas,’ one wrote.
However, former supermarket employees weren’t surprised by the change.
‘Supermarket deli counters are no loss. Having worked at one, I can tell you most of the products are the same as the ones on the shelves,’ one said.
‘They just come in bulk packaging then are unwrapped to sit out in the fresh air so that [customers] think they’re getting some gourmet bacon and sausage rolls,’ another replied.
‘Worked in delis all through my teens and managed them in my 20s, they are the least profitable departments in the store and generate the most food waste,’ one added.
‘Also customers have been moving away from delis for a while, in my experience a generational thing too…it was rare to see people under 40 or 50 come up to the counter,’ another wrote.
‘I’m really surprised it’s taken Woolies this long to can them as they’ve been talking about it for well over a decade,’ one said.
‘I’m not a fan of this and all the plastic waste it will produce, though,’ another added.
It seems that the plastic-packed notion is on the rise across the major supermarkets. Woolworths is just the latest retailer to join the trend, which was started by rival Coles several years ago.
Meanwhile, other commenters inquired if ‘Deli Express’ aisles will be in all Woolworths stores given the renovations at their local Woolworths, including new deli counters.
‘They just did a massive refurbishment on the Woolworths where I live, and there is still a traditional deli, although 25 per cent smaller than it previously was,’ one shared.
‘But still adequate, but definitely not as big a range as they previously had,’ someone else replied.
‘You must just be talking about your woolies in particular. My woolies is less than a year old, and the serviced deli is well and truly decked out,’ one responded.
It is understood that although WooIies has been trialling the new deli express, no employee has been impacted by it.
Woolworths continues to have fresh deli counters in the majority of its stores, specifically in more than 1,000 supermarkets nationwide, while implementing the trial.
What do you think of this story, members? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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