The season of giving often comes with a sense of community and generosity, with businesses and individuals alike sharing in the festive spirit.

However, for one Woolworths customer, the supermarket giant's attempt at spreading Christmas cheer fell notably short.

The customer, who goes by @alia_has_endo on social media, expressed her disappointment over the festive surprise in her recent Direct to Boot order.

A Woolworths customer questioned the supermarket giant’s Christmas gift to its customers this year. Image source: TikTok/@alia_has_endo.

In a video she shared on social media, the mum shared that in 2022, after a year of loyal shopping, she received a box of Cadbury Favourites and a Christmas card from Woolworths.

However, this year, she was disheartened to find a Christmas card and a zip-lock snack bag containing just two small chocolates, a mini candy cane, and a single Mentos lolly.

The customer's disappointment was heightened because Woolworths posted a staggering $1.62 billion profit in the last financial year.

She questioned the supermarket's generosity, saying, 'I just think, from the company that has done so well this year and we’re seeing a cost of living crisis…this is what they hand out.'

'Why give anything?' she asked.

Her sentiments resonated with some social media users who agreed that Woolworths could have done better.

One user commented, 'Over a billion in profits, considering how much customers spend, especially in this economy, not even a Cadbury Favourites box. Shameful Woolies.'

'Downgrade from last year, they could have put more effort in this year when they’ve made record profits,' another replied.

While a third said: 'I didn’t even get a card.'

'I get click and collect every week—no gift for me,' a fourth shared.

While a fifth added: 'Do better.'

However, not everyone agreed with the disgruntled customer.

Some defended the supermarket, suggesting that the gift was likely put together by an employee at her local store.

'This was probably made personally from the online team who don’t get a huge budget and just wanted to do something nice for returning customers,' one suggested.

While another said: 'I only got the lollies [and] no card. I thought it was personal shopper being nice.'

The mum somewhat relented, saying: 'If I’ve gotten it wrong, and it was the personal shopper’s gift then I apologise.'

'But I wouldn’t think a personal shopper did this from their account as we get many different people to serve us and I don’t believe a personal shopper would have been the one to give us a whole box of Cadbury favourites last year just for ordering groceries from a billion dollar company.'

'If I am wrong, I apologise.'

She then added: 'That’s the issue too, some poor overworked staff member had to do all these. Shame, Woolies.'

A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed the customer’s gift was part of a festive gifting initiative at her local store.

They said, 'In the spirit of Christmas, Woolworths is celebrating a ‘season of good acts’ across our more than 1000 stores with team members choosing who and how to surprise and delight our customers.'

'It’s our way of saying thank you for shopping with us this year.'

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths customer expressed disappointment with the Christmas gift included with her Direct to Boot order, which, for her, was less generous than the previous year’s gift.
  
• The customer highlighted Woolworths’ substantial profit in her criticism, suggesting that a more significant gesture could have been made during this cost of living crisis.
  
• Social media users had mixed reactions; some echoed the sentiment of disappointment, while others defended the gift and suggested that it may be a personal gesture from local store staff with limited resources.
  
• Woolworths confirmed the gift was part of a local store’s initiative to surprise and delight customers during the festive season.

What are your thoughts on this issue, dear readers? Have you ever received a corporate gift that left you feeling disappointed or unappreciated? Share your experiences in the comments below.

 

[Veggiepatch]

"Click and collect"?

I prefer "Flick and forget".

 

[marni]

I give gifts to Woolworths and their shareholders all year round, not only just at Christmas. Every time I shop there, they receive a monetary gift in the form of cash exchanged for exorbitantly priced items.

If you don't want to give them the "gift" stop spending your money there. Aldi is in Dandenong I am sure - or spend at the markets

 

[Veggiepatch]

If you don't want to give them the "gift" stop spending your money there. Aldi is in Dandenong I am sure - or spend at the markets

Why pay $18 a kilo for button mushrooms at Dandenong Markets when I can get them at the local fruit and veg market for $12 a kilo? "Big markets are cheaper!" What a myth!