In the bustling aisles of Woolworths, amidst the sound of checkout beeps and trolley wheels, a rhythmic secret has been kept under wraps—until now.

Woolworths employees have spilled the beans on a peculiar daily occurrence that takes place in every store across Australia, precisely at 3:02 pm.

It wasn’t a sale or a meeting, but something unexpected filling the store—an upbeat rhythm meant to energise and motivate the staff.


The revelation of this 'secret' 3 pm detail has taken shoppers and the internet by storm, with many expressing their surprise and amusement.

The catchy tune of 'Pump It Up!' by Belgian musician Danzel has become an unofficial anthem for Woolworths employees.


Beyond background music, it signals department managers to prepare for the evening trade and helps staff revitalise their spirits.

The disclosure of this daily ritual came to light when two Woolworths workers from a Queensland store shared a light-hearted video of their team dancing along to the tune in the cold food aisle.

'At our store, we dance,' they said, showcasing the lighter side of retail work and the camaraderie among the staff.


The 3 pm song phenomenon sparked a lively discussion on The Fox's Melbourne breakfast radio show Fifi, Fev, and Nick.

The hosts expressed disbelief and curiosity about the practice. A Woolworths employee confirmed the routine on-air, explaining that the song serves as a reminder for the staff to prepare for the night ahead.

'Yes, it is, at 3 o'clock every day,' the worker said.

'Can confirm this is correct. But it's actually 3:02 pm and not a second earlier.' a Woolworths spokesperson chimed in.

However, not all employees are fans of the daily dance track. Some workers have expressed their exasperation, with one jokingly commenting, 'It doesn't pump us up, and we collectively groan.'

Another admitted that they had never noticed the song until it was pointed out to them, and now it's impossible to ignore.


The reactions among the staff are mixed, with some finding it an amusing quirk of their workday, while others feel it's a countdown to the end of their shift.

'It drives me crazy, but then I'm like, 'Yes, one hour (of work) until home time,' shared one employee.
Interestingly, this isn't a practice exclusive to Woolworths. It appears that Coles, another supermarket giant, has its version of a motivational tune that plays at 2 pm.

Known as the 'Rumble' song, this is meant to remind staff to clear rubbish and cardboard from the aisles, although, by the admission of some employees, this prompt often goes unheeded.

The 3 pm detail emerged on social media after a Woolworths customer, Abby, noticed the 'Pump It Up!' tune during her grocery shop and shared her discovery.


Since then, many shoppers have reported their own experiences, with some even planning their shopping trips around the 3 pm 'event' to witness the staff's reaction.

So, next time you find yourself wandering the aisles of Woolworths around 3 pm, keep your ears open for the unmistakable beats of 'Pump It Up!' and observe the staff as they groove along or groan in unison.

It's a unique slice of retail culture that adds a bit of rhythm to the daily grind.


Dear readers, have you ever noticed this musical interlude during grocery runs? Does your local Woolworths staff dance along, or do they carry on with a collective eye-roll? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.