Why is everyone laughing at this tiny detail in Woolworths' charity promo?
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Woolworths, one of Australia's leading supermarket chains, has long been known for its community initiatives and charitable contributions.
However, its latest charity promotion has left some customers chuckling and others shaking their heads in disbelief.
The retail giant recently launched a new line of plush toys representing some of Australia's most beloved wildlife, including a crocodile, cockatoo, emu, and wombat.
Priced at $18 each, Woolworths has pledged to donate 50 cents from the sale of each toy to WIRES, a well-known animal rescue group.
But this tiny detail has sparked a wave of ridicule and debate among shoppers.
The issue was not the act of charity itself but the proportion of the sale price being donated. Many customers feel that the 50-cent donation is laughably small, especially given the retail price of the toys.
A social media post that discussed the promotion quickly gained traction, with the original poster questioning, 'Correct me if I’m wrong, but this feels like [a] joke, 50 [cents] donated when I spend $18 on a toy. I appreciate the effort, but we can’t even make it to $1?'
The sentiment was echoed across social media platforms, with many suggesting that Woolworths, which reported hundreds of millions in profit last financial year, could afford to be more generous.
‘No reason for these not to be $20 and donate $2.50. No one needs to buy these, so might as well go up a bit,’ one suggested.
‘Woolworths in a nutshell, eh? WIRES seems like a good cause, though, if they pumped the donation rate to like $5 minimum, I'd probably pick up the plush crocodile,’ another quipped.
This controversy highlights the complex relationship Australians have with their major supermarkets. Woolworths and Coles, which together form a near duopoly, are scrutinised by the public much like celebrities or politicians.
In response to the debate, Woolworths emphasised its ongoing commitment to WIRES, saying, ‘We’re proud to have partnered with WIRES since 2020 and have donated more than $1.5 million since our partnership began.’
The supermarket's support for wildlife extends beyond selling plush toys; it also provides fresh food to registered wildlife carers and grants for specific dietary items needed by native animals.
In fact, since 2022, Woolworths has donated over 700 tonnes of food to help Australia's fauna.
Despite these efforts, wildlife advocates are calling on Woolworths to make further changes.
The supermarket is under pressure to remove certain rat poisons from its shelves, which are known to inadvertently kill predatory birds.
Additionally, Woolworths and Coles are being urged to stop labelling Tasmanian farmed salmon as 'sustainable' due to the negative impact on the endangered maugean skate.
On a positive note, Woolworths has been commended for its new beef sourcing policy, which aims to be completely deforestation-free by 2025—a move celebrated by Greenpeace as a 'big and significant step.'
Do you think Woolworths should increase their donation per toy, or is the current amount sufficient? Have you purchased one of these plush toys, and if so, did the donation amount influence your decision? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below!
However, its latest charity promotion has left some customers chuckling and others shaking their heads in disbelief.
The retail giant recently launched a new line of plush toys representing some of Australia's most beloved wildlife, including a crocodile, cockatoo, emu, and wombat.
Priced at $18 each, Woolworths has pledged to donate 50 cents from the sale of each toy to WIRES, a well-known animal rescue group.
But this tiny detail has sparked a wave of ridicule and debate among shoppers.
Customers ridiculed Woolworths' ongoing charity promo. Credit: u/SunFlower_Following / Reddit a
The issue was not the act of charity itself but the proportion of the sale price being donated. Many customers feel that the 50-cent donation is laughably small, especially given the retail price of the toys.
A social media post that discussed the promotion quickly gained traction, with the original poster questioning, 'Correct me if I’m wrong, but this feels like [a] joke, 50 [cents] donated when I spend $18 on a toy. I appreciate the effort, but we can’t even make it to $1?'
The sentiment was echoed across social media platforms, with many suggesting that Woolworths, which reported hundreds of millions in profit last financial year, could afford to be more generous.
‘No reason for these not to be $20 and donate $2.50. No one needs to buy these, so might as well go up a bit,’ one suggested.
‘Woolworths in a nutshell, eh? WIRES seems like a good cause, though, if they pumped the donation rate to like $5 minimum, I'd probably pick up the plush crocodile,’ another quipped.
This controversy highlights the complex relationship Australians have with their major supermarkets. Woolworths and Coles, which together form a near duopoly, are scrutinised by the public much like celebrities or politicians.
In response to the debate, Woolworths emphasised its ongoing commitment to WIRES, saying, ‘We’re proud to have partnered with WIRES since 2020 and have donated more than $1.5 million since our partnership began.’
The supermarket's support for wildlife extends beyond selling plush toys; it also provides fresh food to registered wildlife carers and grants for specific dietary items needed by native animals.
In fact, since 2022, Woolworths has donated over 700 tonnes of food to help Australia's fauna.
Despite these efforts, wildlife advocates are calling on Woolworths to make further changes.
The supermarket is under pressure to remove certain rat poisons from its shelves, which are known to inadvertently kill predatory birds.
Additionally, Woolworths and Coles are being urged to stop labelling Tasmanian farmed salmon as 'sustainable' due to the negative impact on the endangered maugean skate.
On a positive note, Woolworths has been commended for its new beef sourcing policy, which aims to be completely deforestation-free by 2025—a move celebrated by Greenpeace as a 'big and significant step.'
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