Stop wasting time at Woolies! Discover the secret tip shoppers wish they knew sooner

Let’s be honest—there’s nothing quite as frustrating as wandering the supermarket aisles, list in hand, only to realise you’ve walked past the tinned tomatoes three times or that the baking powder is hiding in a completely different section than you expected.

For many of us, a 'quick shop' at Woolies can turn into a full-blown treasure hunt, especially if you’re shopping at a different store than usual or if the layout has changed (again!).



But what if we told you there’s a clever little trick that could save you all that hassle?

Woolworths has quietly rolled out a new feature in their app that’s set to change the way you shop—no more aimless wandering, no more squinting at those tiny aisle signs, and no more asking staff for the umpteenth time, 'Where do you keep the coconut cream?'

Woolworths has added a nifty ‘wayfinding’ tool to their app, and it’s a real game-changer for anyone who wants to get in, get out, and get on with their day.

Here’s how it works: simply open the Woolworths app, tap the ‘in store’ option at the top, and search for the product you need. The app will instantly tell you the exact aisle number where you’ll find it—no guesswork required!


Screenshot 2025-08-18 at 10.00.26.png
Woolworths has introduced a new ‘wayfinding’ feature in its app that helps customers quickly locate products in store, showing aisle numbers and even providing a store map for easier navigation. Image source: Woolworths.



But it gets even better. In over 300 stores across New South Wales (with more locations likely to follow), the app now includes a digital map of the store.

Think of it as your own personal supermarket GPS. Not only does it show you the aisle, but it can also guide you through the store, helping you plot the most efficient route to tick off everything on your list.

If you’re a seasoned Woolies shopper, you’ll remember the trusty laminated A4 aisle directory sheets at the end of each aisle.

While these are handy, they’re not always up to date and don’t list every single product. Plus, if you’re shopping for something a bit obscure (like that new gluten-free flour or a specific brand of herbal tea), you might still find yourself on a wild goose chase.



The new app feature takes the guesswork out of shopping. It’s especially helpful for those of us who might not be as mobile as we used to be, or who simply want to make the most of our time (and energy) while shopping.

The wayfinding tool is just the tip of the iceberg. Over a million Aussies now use the Woolworths app as part of their regular shopping routine. Here are a few other features you might find useful:
  • Weekly Specials: Browse the latest deals and save your favourites to your shopping list.
  • Meal Planning: Access recipes and add ingredients directly to your list.
  • Shopping List Management: Create and organise your shopping list, and check off items as you go.
  • Online Shopping: Order for delivery or Click & Collect, and track your order status.
  • Store Mode: Set your preferred store for tailored specials, stock availability, and, of course, the wayfinding feature.


If you haven’t already, download the Woolworths app from the App Store or Google Play. Once installed, set your local store in ‘store mode’ to unlock the full suite of in-store features, including the floor plan and wayfinding tool.

Read more: Tapping to check prices? It’s not sci-fi—it’s Woolies now, and this mum’s already using it

Key Takeaways
  • Woolworths has introduced a new ‘wayfinding’ feature in its app that helps customers quickly locate products in store, showing aisle numbers and even providing a store map for easier navigation.
  • The feature is currently available in 300 Woolworths stores across New South Wales, though many shoppers are only just discovering this handy hack.
  • To use the feature, customers simply tap ‘in store’ on the Woolworths app, search for the item they need, and the app will show its location within their chosen store.
  • Woolworths says over one million customers now use the app, highlighting how it also helps with finding specials, planning meals, and making the overall shopping experience more convenient.

We’d love to hear from you! Have you used the Woolworths wayfinding feature? Did it save you time or help you find something you’d been searching for? Or do you have your own tips for making supermarket shopping a breeze? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!
 

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I don't know the exact timing, but shops deliberately change the positions of products in their stores to keep people in the stores for longer, hoping they will buy something extra. It's done on purpose to increase sales. It obviously works or they wouldn't keep doing it.
 
I wonder it Coles will follow suit.
 
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Reactions: Ricci
I think the layout in all woolworths and all Coles should be similar so if you have to venture into a different store for some reason you will be pretty much at home and know where to find everything but they don't do that at all. What about looking after what suits their customers
 
I do all my shopping online, let someone else have the fun(?) of finding the stuff!! :) ;)
 
My local Coles has just reorganised their entire store and after speaking with several staff that I happen to know we’ve all decided it was done by a mid-20’s male who has never actually done a weekly shop! Nothing in the aisles now goes together. The only thing that we all agreed on is that spreads is now back in aisle 3 where they were years ago when this particular store opened and I used to work there (4-8am) as a shelf filler. Granted, you now have to traverse several aisles to find items that used to together but rather than seeing people slow and purchase other items all I’ve noticed is shoppers moving more quickly to find what they want and then to get out of there!
 
This would be great if our phones actually work in the store!
 
I wonder it Coles will follow suit.
Coles have been doing it for many years. They all have, they hire shrinks to analyse people's habits, that's what all the data collecting is about, how to get people to spend more.
 
What app? Woolworths want you to use one app for rewards, another for bws, and another for shopping. They have 3 or 4 apps in the store. I also find products move or layout variations in different stores.
 
I really don't care what they do, they will never make me buy what I don't go in to buy and when I do a full grocery shop I like to take my time
 
I don't know the exact timing, but shops deliberately change the positions of products in their stores to keep people in the stores for longer, hoping they will buy something extra. It's done on purpose to increase sales. It obviously works or they wouldn't keep doing it.
Totally agree woolies are good at that .
 
I can get to about 6 local Woolies (could be about 10 with a bit more travelling and 2 Coles) so it comes in very useful if I've forgotten the layout of the one I'm in.🙂
If I'm in a different store it starts off by telling me "It looks like you're in xxxxx. Would you like to change to this store?"

The barcode reader at the top of the app is also very useful if a price is missing from the shelf. You just scan the barcode of what you want to buy and it tells you the price straight away.

However, they need to put in Scan&Go at these stores to make shopping quicker, although their self serve is quite quick.

Got to go now. I've got to go shopping😁
 
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Reactions: Veggiepatch
Unless it has changed not all Woolworths stock all the same items either even though the stores are approx the same size. My closest one doesn't stock some lines that another one a few km away stocks.
 
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Reactions: Kaylee
I suggested this about five years ago when the local Aldi was refurbished and the whole product location turned upside down.

Management said "What a great idea!" Understandably, that's as far as it got!
 
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Reactions: Leenie
But that takes all the fun out of being a hunter/gatherer who wanders aimlessly up and down the aisles, inadvertently running into people they haven't seen for ages and stopping for a superficial chat, before heading off again in search of that one item they missed, only to find a hole where the now out-of-stock item sat, because the last one was taken by another customer as you were chatting to your long lost acquaintance in another aisle.

Now THAT'S a long sentence and so not me 🤣
 
I wonder it Coles will follow suit.
I have been using the Coles app for well over 12 months. I do my shopping list on the app. I have had very few problems with the app. I can even view my past shopping back to January this year. I have a Phone holder that I can fix to the trolly. The app shows what aisle the product you are looking for. It is brilliant. Actually I probably buy less because I don't have to go down every aisle now. I'm sure the Woolies is a good app but I am a Coles girl.
 
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Reactions: PattiB and Liz
I have been using the Coles app for well over 12 months. I do my shopping list on the app. I have had very few problems with the app. I can even view my past shopping back to January this year. I have a Phone holder that I can fix to the trolly. The app shows what aisle the product you are looking for. It is brilliant. Actually I probably buy less because I don't have to go down every aisle now. I'm sure the Woolies is a good app but I am a Coles girl.
Me too but online, have just downloaded both apps because if we go to either store, it is a waste of time looking for items.
 
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Reactions: PattiB and AnnHope

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