Woolworth introduces new ‘Deli Express’ format

There has been a shift from traditional deli counters, which stock everything from salad to deli meats, poultry and seafood at a small number of stores.

An image posted to Reddit has revealed a revamp of the deli section at one major supermarket being trialled across a number of stores.

The photo taken in a Queensland Woolworths store showed refrigerated shelves lined with pre-packaged selections of deli items under a sign bearing the name “Deli Express”.

The new format is a shift from traditional deli counters, which stock everything from salads to deli meats, poultry and seafood, and are manned by staff members who package those items in whatever amount is requested by the customer.

Commenters were left divided over the image of the brand new deli format.

“As part of Woolworths oh so glorious ‘make over’ Woolworths no longer has a deli but has a ‘Deli express’ where you can now get you favourite meats pre-packaged in 200 gram packets,” the Reddit post read.

An image posted to Reddit showed the Deli Express at Woolworths, where customers can pick up 200-gram packets of their chosen deli item. Picture: Reddit

“Oh the flow of plastic waste just in time for Christmas. I’m making the switch. I’m not buying 4 packets of ham for a kg.”

News.com.au understands the new format, which allows customers to pick up pre-packaged goods, is only being trialled in a small number of stores in Queensland.

Locations were selected after there was a realisation that these particular stores had a lower demand for fresh delis, typically due to their size. Overall, Woolworths has seen packaged goods growing while fresh deli sales decline.

News.com.au understands no staff have been impacted by the shift and the majority of stores continue to have fresh deli counters.

Social media users had a strong reaction, with some being in favour of the swap while others were outraged.

The change has only been made in a small handful of stores. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

“They just did a massive refurbishment on the Woolworths where I live and there is still a traditional deli,” one social media user said.

“It’s 25 per cent smaller than it previously was, but still adequate but definitely not as big a range as they previously had.”

“I am buying less and less from Colesworth and more and more from smaller local shops,” another said.

One simply said: “I f*****g hate this and refused to buy from it.”

“Worked in delis all through my teens and managed them in my 20s, they are the least profitable departments in the store and generate the most food waste,” one said.

Another added: “Supermarket deli counters are no loss. Having worked at one, I can tell you most of the products are the same as the ones on the shelves.”