Woolworths in hot water over change to popular service that will be ‘harder on pensioners’
- Replies 6
If you're used to shopping for groceries online, Woolworths may have unwittingly caught you off guard this month.
The ever-popular Australian supermarket chain recently raised the minimum order requirement for customers who use its free Direct to Boot and Pick Up shopping services, from $30 to $50 — a whopping $20 jump!
For those who aren't familiar with the service, Direct to Boot allows customers to make an online order and then collect it from their local store without ever leaving the car – that's what makes it such a popular and convenient service.
But of course, with the minimum order now at $50, that convenience comes at a hefty price.
One shopper took to a Facebook post to express her thoughts about Woolworths' new policy.
‘Increasing the minimum spend on Click and Collect/Direct to Boot orders is only going to make shopping harder on pensioners and (persons with disabilities) who will now either be forced to buy items they don't need or can't afford or made to physically shop for themselves when they might struggle,’ she said.
Moreover, she added, online shoppers who live alone and don't need to buy large amounts of groceries at a time are likewise disadvantaged by the policy, since they'll now be forced to buy more than they need to meet the minimum spend.
‘It isn't a good move, and I hope you reconsider and look to go back to putting customers first,’ the shopper ended.
According to Canstar Blue, the average weekly grocery bill for single Australians is $104, with food spending said to rise by $40-$50 for every additional person.
In terms of age, Aussies aged 60-69 years old spend $139 on groceries weekly on average.
Woolworths responded to her post and said ‘changes are required from time to time’ to ensure customers ‘enjoy greater convenience’ — something that missed the mark entirely for this shopper.
‘I’m not sure how this improves the way I shop or allows anyone to “enjoy greater convenience” though. It actually reduces convenience,’ she said.
The $20 minimum spend increase to the Direct to Boot and Pick Up programs comes as Aussies are still reeling from a cost-of-living crisis.
As pointed out by the Woolworths shopper who stands to be affected negatively by the policy change, Australians on age pension saw a living cost rise by 7.3 per cent last year.
The Reserve Bank of Australia also announced the ninth straight interest rate hike, raising the current cash target rate — and mortgage interests by extension — by .25 basis points (0.25 per cent) from 3.10 per cent to 3.35 per cent.
But despite the rather bare explanation initially offered by Woolworths, others understood the store’s change in policy.
‘It costs (Woolworths) to have someone pick your order and deliver it to your boot,’ another commenter said. ‘It also means no impulse purchases in the store so they aren’t making any extra that way.’
‘Why should they lose money by delivering things to your boot?
According to Woolworths, Direct to Boot and Pick Up orders are free of service charges.
The retail giant also issued another response recently where they confirmed and defended the increased $50 minimum spend.
‘Our free Direct to Boot services and Pick Up has remained unchanged for a number of years,’ the spokesperson said.
‘Earlier this month, the minimum spend was increased by $30 to $50.’
‘We’re continuing to let customers know about this change through our stores and online.’
Yet another reason to tighten belts, folks.
On the topic of minimum spending, Woolworths also has a special promotion to mark the launch of its most recent collectables campaign that requires the purchase of at least $30 to enter — and winners get free groceries!
Another Woolworths shopper was left fuming after a home delivery order had her describing the retail giant as having ‘very bad form’.
Meanwhile last year, some customers in Tasmania left their local Woolworths store with their grocery items — and an employee’s cheeky surprise — in tow!
So, what are your thoughts on this minimum spend hike for Direct to Boot and Pick Up (aka Click & Collect) services from Woolies?
If you use the services, will this change how you shop?
Tell us your thoughts below!
The ever-popular Australian supermarket chain recently raised the minimum order requirement for customers who use its free Direct to Boot and Pick Up shopping services, from $30 to $50 — a whopping $20 jump!
For those who aren't familiar with the service, Direct to Boot allows customers to make an online order and then collect it from their local store without ever leaving the car – that's what makes it such a popular and convenient service.
But of course, with the minimum order now at $50, that convenience comes at a hefty price.
One shopper took to a Facebook post to express her thoughts about Woolworths' new policy.
‘Increasing the minimum spend on Click and Collect/Direct to Boot orders is only going to make shopping harder on pensioners and (persons with disabilities) who will now either be forced to buy items they don't need or can't afford or made to physically shop for themselves when they might struggle,’ she said.
In Woolworths’ Direct to Boot service, shoppers don’t need to get out of their cars to get their groceries. Image Credit: Woolworths
Moreover, she added, online shoppers who live alone and don't need to buy large amounts of groceries at a time are likewise disadvantaged by the policy, since they'll now be forced to buy more than they need to meet the minimum spend.
‘It isn't a good move, and I hope you reconsider and look to go back to putting customers first,’ the shopper ended.
According to Canstar Blue, the average weekly grocery bill for single Australians is $104, with food spending said to rise by $40-$50 for every additional person.
In terms of age, Aussies aged 60-69 years old spend $139 on groceries weekly on average.
Woolworths responded to her post and said ‘changes are required from time to time’ to ensure customers ‘enjoy greater convenience’ — something that missed the mark entirely for this shopper.
‘I’m not sure how this improves the way I shop or allows anyone to “enjoy greater convenience” though. It actually reduces convenience,’ she said.
The $20 minimum spend increase to the Direct to Boot and Pick Up programs comes as Aussies are still reeling from a cost-of-living crisis.
As pointed out by the Woolworths shopper who stands to be affected negatively by the policy change, Australians on age pension saw a living cost rise by 7.3 per cent last year.
The Reserve Bank of Australia also announced the ninth straight interest rate hike, raising the current cash target rate — and mortgage interests by extension — by .25 basis points (0.25 per cent) from 3.10 per cent to 3.35 per cent.
One Woolworths shopper pointed out that the $20 minimum spend hike in Woolworths’ Direct to Boot service places seniors and persons with disabilities at a disadvantage. Image Credit: Unsplash
But despite the rather bare explanation initially offered by Woolworths, others understood the store’s change in policy.
‘It costs (Woolworths) to have someone pick your order and deliver it to your boot,’ another commenter said. ‘It also means no impulse purchases in the store so they aren’t making any extra that way.’
‘Why should they lose money by delivering things to your boot?
According to Woolworths, Direct to Boot and Pick Up orders are free of service charges.
Aussies aged 60-69 years old spend an average of $139 weekly on groceries according to Canstar. How will store policy changes like Woolworths' most recent one affect seniors? Image Credit: Seniors Discount Club
The retail giant also issued another response recently where they confirmed and defended the increased $50 minimum spend.
‘Our free Direct to Boot services and Pick Up has remained unchanged for a number of years,’ the spokesperson said.
‘Earlier this month, the minimum spend was increased by $30 to $50.’
‘We’re continuing to let customers know about this change through our stores and online.’
Yet another reason to tighten belts, folks.
Another Woolworths shopper was left fuming after a home delivery order had her describing the retail giant as having ‘very bad form’.
Meanwhile last year, some customers in Tasmania left their local Woolworths store with their grocery items — and an employee’s cheeky surprise — in tow!
So, what are your thoughts on this minimum spend hike for Direct to Boot and Pick Up (aka Click & Collect) services from Woolies?
If you use the services, will this change how you shop?
Tell us your thoughts below!
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