Double Bay Woolqorths: Live mussel tank, no-waste bakery and BYO bags in sustainable focus

Woolworths flagship store has reopened, revealing a sustainability-focused offering including a live mussel tank, zero-waste bakery and phone recycling drop-off.

Supermarket giant Woolworths’ flagship store in Double Bay has reopened with an expanded health and wellness range and sustainability initiatives not found anywhere else in the country.

Woolworths Double Bay is leading the way on sustainable produce and in-store practices, the supermarket chain said.

Among the many upgrades, the store has been fitted out with LED lights to reduce power usage, and switched to carbon-efficient refrigeration and airconditioning systems.

It also now has a drop-off area in the store for customers to bring their soft plastics, batteries, phones, and cardboard to be recycled.

Newly elected MP for Wentworth Allegra Spender attended the opening on Wednesday, noting on Instagram Woolworths‘ recent commitment to emissions reductions across their business by 2030.

“(Woolworths) is committed to a 63 per cent emissions reduction by 2030 and are testing out many of their initiatives right here in Double Bay. So good,” Ms Spender said.

Woollahra Mayor Susan Wynne said Woolworths Double Bay played an important role in the recent revitalisation of the Double Bay commercial centre.

“Woolworths Double Bay has made a significant contribution to Double Bay’s resurgence, and the site’s transformation into a thriving community hub,” Mayor Wynne said.

“I am confident its latest incarnation will further enhance this unique shopping village.”

A greater focus on sustainability overall was a major part of the revamp.

Plastic packaging in produce has been significantly reduced through the trial of cardboard/paper packaging across a range of products including cherry tomatoes, baby cucumbers and white potatoes, Woolworths said in a press statement.

The renovated store has a range of fruit and vegetables sold in renewable packaging. Photo: Woolworths.

The store will also integrate zero waste practices into day-to-day operations, with bakery food waste minimised by turning in-store sourdough bread into garlic bread and breadcrumbs to be sold to customers.

A BYO container trial announced last year will also launch in stores to help customers cut plastic in their regular shop.

Shoppers will be able to bring their own reusable containers from home to fill up at the deli, meat and seafood counters, with the trial set to expand in coming months.

The renovated florist offering a wide range of flowers. Image: Woolworths

Woolworths Supermarkets Managing Director Natalie Davis said the revamped store was part of a wider commitment to offer customers more fresh Australian produce and sustainable product choices.

“It’s important we champion local Australian suppliers, so we’re pleased to expand our range of products sourced from NSW, ensuring we’re supporting Australian business and making local products more accessible,” Ms Davis said.

The renovation also revealed an expanded range of fresh Australian produce.

A wider range of health and wellness brands is part of the Woolies revamp. Photo: Woolworths

The Double Bay store’s in-store market now features a live mussel tank with Blue Mussels from Jervis Bay, NSW delivered to the store the day after harvest.

The new mussel bar at Woolworths Double Bay. Photo: Woolworths

Mussel farming is regarded as one of the world‘s most sustainable methods of food production and the Blue Mussels are a naturally occurring species in the waters of the south coast of NSW, Woolworths said.

Mussel farming is regarded as one of the world‘s most sustainable methods of food production. Photo: Woolworths

The butcher has also expanded its range of locally-sourced meat, featuring a new range of dry aged beef, a range of duck products from Pepe’s Ducks Farm in Eastern Creek, NSW.

Woolworths said 100% of the eggs sold at the store are now cage free.

All eggs sold at the Woolworths Double Bay are now cage-free. Image: Woolworths

40 cheeses from around the world were recently added including local suppliers from NSW like Bodalla, Hunterbelle, and La Stella and a larger Kosher range from NSW based suppliers like Falcone bakery and more.

Cheese from local NSW suppliers like Bodalla, Hunterbelle, and La Stella is now available. Photo: Woolworths

At the reimagined Sushi bar, customers can custom build their own bento box, order sushi or party platters

through the Woolworths app (available 11am-4pm), or enjoy new products like the Chicken karaage Burger, all made daily in-store by expert sushi chefs.

Woolworths Double Bay has a range of initiatives to reduce waste. Photo: Woolworths

The store will also feature added convenience for customers with dedicated parking bays for Direct-to-Boot shopping.

The renovated store will also continue to offer ‘Scan & Go’ technology which allows customers to scan goods with their smartphone as they walk through the store and pay in the app before tapping off at a dedicated kiosk.

Woolworths said its Double Bay store remains dedicated to supporting the community, having donated more than 350,000 meals to OzHarvest in the last five years.

The store also supports WIRES Wildlife Rescue by helping provide fruit and veg to animals cared for by the service.