Woolworths CEO faces confrontation over 'price gouging' accusations
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In a world where every penny counts, the last thing you want to hear is that your trusted supermarket might be taking more of it than it should.
That's exactly the concern raised in a recent confrontation between a shopper and the CEO of Woolworths, one of Australia's leading grocery chains.
The incident, which was captured on video and has since gone viral, highlights the growing unease among consumers about the practices of big supermarkets during these financially challenging times.
The video, which has racked up nearly half a million views, shows a bold shopper in a Woolworths store in Wollongong, NSW, directly questioning the company's Chief Executive, Amanda Bardwell, about the issue of price gouging.
'What do you have to say to the fact that your company is profiting off price gouging during the context of the cost of living crisis?' the shopper asked.
Ms Bardwell's response, which some online commentators have described as 'generic' and 'robotic,' was that Woolworths is 'doing everything we can to recognise that customers are doing it tough to make sure that they’re able to get great prices.'
However, the shopper was not satisfied, pressing the question, 'Can you sleep at night knowing that?'
This exchange highlights the tension between corporate assurances and consumer scepticism.
With the rising cost of living, families are indeed 'doing it tough,' as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently pointed out.
The government has proposed a new grocery code that could impose multimillion-dollar penalties on supermarkets for serious breaches, including misleading claims about discounts.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has alleged that Woolworths and Coles engaged in deceptive practices by increasing prices by at least 15 per cent before applying promotional discount stickers, resulting in prices higher than before the hike.
Woolworths reportedly did this for 266 products in its Prices Dropped promotion over 20 months, while Coles allegedly did it for 245 products in its Down Down promotion across 15 months.
In the face of these allegations, Woolworths has stated that it will review the ACCC's claims and continue to engage with the commission on the matter.
Ms Bardwell also emphasised, ‘We remain committed to offering many ways for customers to save at the checkout, including thousands of weekly specials, everyday low prices on household essentials, a great value own brand range and through our Everyday Rewards program.'
You can watch the video below (Disclaimer: This video contains swear words):
Credit: TikTok
Have you noticed price increases disguised as discounts? How do you ensure you're getting the best value for your money when grocery shopping? Let us know in the comments below.
That's exactly the concern raised in a recent confrontation between a shopper and the CEO of Woolworths, one of Australia's leading grocery chains.
The incident, which was captured on video and has since gone viral, highlights the growing unease among consumers about the practices of big supermarkets during these financially challenging times.
The video, which has racked up nearly half a million views, shows a bold shopper in a Woolworths store in Wollongong, NSW, directly questioning the company's Chief Executive, Amanda Bardwell, about the issue of price gouging.
'What do you have to say to the fact that your company is profiting off price gouging during the context of the cost of living crisis?' the shopper asked.
During the cost-of-living crisis, a shopper confronted Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell in a NSW store. Credit: Shutterstock
Ms Bardwell's response, which some online commentators have described as 'generic' and 'robotic,' was that Woolworths is 'doing everything we can to recognise that customers are doing it tough to make sure that they’re able to get great prices.'
However, the shopper was not satisfied, pressing the question, 'Can you sleep at night knowing that?'
This exchange highlights the tension between corporate assurances and consumer scepticism.
With the rising cost of living, families are indeed 'doing it tough,' as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently pointed out.
The government has proposed a new grocery code that could impose multimillion-dollar penalties on supermarkets for serious breaches, including misleading claims about discounts.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has alleged that Woolworths and Coles engaged in deceptive practices by increasing prices by at least 15 per cent before applying promotional discount stickers, resulting in prices higher than before the hike.
Woolworths reportedly did this for 266 products in its Prices Dropped promotion over 20 months, while Coles allegedly did it for 245 products in its Down Down promotion across 15 months.
In the face of these allegations, Woolworths has stated that it will review the ACCC's claims and continue to engage with the commission on the matter.
Ms Bardwell also emphasised, ‘We remain committed to offering many ways for customers to save at the checkout, including thousands of weekly specials, everyday low prices on household essentials, a great value own brand range and through our Everyday Rewards program.'
You can watch the video below (Disclaimer: This video contains swear words):
Credit: TikTok
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