Woolies responds after price-tag blowback sparks customer warning

A snap comparing the “regular” price and the clearance price of a frozen item at the supermarket has sparked a warning from customers.

A snap comparing the “regular” price and the clearance price of a frozen item at Woolworths has sparked a warning from irked customers.

The image, shared to popular Facebook page Meanwhile in Australia, showed a picture of prices of Inghams Chicken Munchies.

The original price tag had the frozen chicken product marked at $10 but the Woolies clearance sticker had the price at $13 and discounted to $11.

Woolworths told news.com.au that the issue appeared to be the result of human error where the white shelf label, which stated the old price of $10, was not removed.

News.com.au understands in stores where paper tickets are used, Woolworths store teams manually change shelf prices when the standard shelf price is updated.

Average prices at the supermarket fell in the first half of the year, as reported on in Woolworths Group’s Financial Results for FY2024 on August 28.

However, the image has left many Australians who are struggling under cost-of-living pressures angry, and as a result the photo has been shared widely on social media.

A picture of prices in Woolworths has irked shoppers. Picture: Meanwhile in Australia/Facebook

“This is why I always check the price under these so called specials,” one Aussie vented.

“At the end of the day they are a business and really can charge what they want. If you choose to buy from there that’s your issue,” another social media user commented.

One added: “I’ve seen this kind of thing many times. Quick sale is higher price then normal.”

While one person claimed they have family members who work at the major retailer but who choose to shop elsewhere: “That tells you basically everything you need to know.”

Another added: “I completely stopped buying snacks like chips and chocolate because I can’t justify paying $8 for a bag of chips.”

“They really do believe people are stupid,” raged someone else.

Some suggested cheaper alternatives to the major supermarkets, stating “that’s why I support local. Go to the butchers!”

“And then they wonder why people don’t scan all their items at the self check-outs,” one joked.

The pricing error comes after a fed-up shopper confronted the newly appointed Woolworths Chief Executive Amanda Bardwell before questioning how she “can sleep at night” during a visit in a store in Wollongong, on the NSW South Coast.

Many were unhappy with the image. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“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 in the social media media, which has wracked up nearly half a million views.

“Thank you for reaching out to us. We’re doing everything we can to recognise that customers are doing it tough to make sure that they’re able to get great prices,” Ms Bardwell replied.

Hitting back, the customer said she didn’t “believe that”, before claiming the supermarket giant was continuing to make money while Aussies are suffering.

“Can you sleep at night knowing that?” she asked.

“Our team are doing everything that we can to support our customers. We understand that it is an incredibly difficult time right now,” Ms Bardwell replied.

“If you understood, then maybe you would be prepared to give up the billion dollar that the company has been making,” the shopper continued.

A staff member then intervened, noting the supermarket had lowered prices across the store.