on 19-12-2014 09:50 AM
Woolworths buyers have told suppliers their products could be pulled from shelves just days before Christmas if they refuse to fund the supermarket giant's new Cheap Cheap advertising campaign.
"I was asked for a contribution of almost $1 million, and when I refused to pay I was told a 'range review' was under way and I would be informed of the outcome early next week," said the sales manager of one of Australia's leading health product companies.
"The implied threat is that some of my products will no longer be stocked if I don't pay up."
Fairfax Media can reveal the ACCC has now assigned one of Australia's most experienced investigators to probe claims that Woolworths is engaging in unconscionable conduct by demanding suppliers pay tens of millions of dollars by the end of December.
The team, which is being led by veteran ACCC enforcement manager Alan Ducret, has promised to provide whistleblower protection in return for information from suppliers.
So let me get this straight.
In a drive for lower prices to entice customers away from their rivals, Woolworths is asking their suppliers, whom they've already screwed right down to almost unsustainability in the purchasing process, is coming back for another bite, asking their suppliers to now PAY THEM to keep their product on the shelf, in order to close the retailers PROFIT GAP?????
WHAT MONGRELS!!!!
No doubt rival supermarkets are doing something similar.
And who'e doing anything about it?
19-12-2014 09:55 AM - edited 19-12-2014 09:56 AM
That's why I shop in Aldi, dont like the greedy BIG 2 supermarkets, only go there if I rally have to buy something that Aldi doesn't stock
on 19-12-2014 10:09 AM
I do my big shop at Aldi as well, Coles for top-ups.
Rarely go to Woolworths mainly only if I've run out of something.
on 19-12-2014 10:19 AM
19-12-2014 10:25 AM - edited 19-12-2014 10:26 AM
yeah I know they have the market pretty much stitched up, and the producers prettty much over a barrel. There should be a law against it.
on 19-12-2014 11:12 AM
on 19-12-2014 11:24 AM
on 19-12-2014 11:31 AM
when we submit our monthly tender, we quite often get a phone call saying so and so is offering the same product at a cheaper priice.
never show the competitions tender. just a tool to try and buy cheaper.
we tell them to buy it at the lower price from elsewhere
on 19-12-2014 11:40 AM
And what do they do ?
Do they come back to you or do they buy it elsewhere ?
BTW, I tend to do the same.
on 19-12-2014 11:47 AM
I hardly ever go to Woolies, although there is one just round the corner, and is the most convenient for me. Mainly because they dropped all the brands I used to buy. I like Burgen bread, but now more often than not it is not there at all and when they have it it is lot more than elsewhere, and yogurt, and dips etc. Veg & fruit is 2 or 3x as much as in our growers market. They keep sending me offers "spend $150" and we will give you $20 LOL.
If they take off the shelf more products they might find more people will shop elsewhere.