Woolworths Metro Stores and Price Differences

scottishdave on 22/12/2024 - 18:04
Last edited 22/12/2024 - 18:43 by 1 other user

I have (had) 2 larger Woolies and 2 Woolies Metro supermarkets within a 2km radius of me. One of the larger Woolies supermarkets has recently been converted to a Woolies Metro. The prices at the new converted Metro are now many cents more than the remaining, larger Woolies supermarket. I asked the manager at the new converted Metro why the prices are now higher and he said that's the way the Metro stores operate…like a convenience store with higher prices.
Needless to say, I'll now drive the extra 1km to the larger Woolies.

By the way, on the Woolies website and the app, when you look up a product you see the price. When you check to see which stores have the item in stock the price appears the same whether it is a full size supermarket or a Metro store. I asked the manager of the new Metro store why the shelf price on a particular item was 10c more than theon website. He said he didn't know.

Isn't Woolies obliged to charge what it says on their website or app? Or at least, change the design of the their app or website to show the more expensive price for the item in the Metro stores?

Food & Grocery

Related Stores

Woolworths
Woolworths

Comments

  • mskeggs on 22/12/2024 - 18:17
    +3

    The nearest Woolies to me became a metro with accompanying price rises. That is bad enough, but they drastically reduced home brand lines, so not only are the prices higher, but there are only costlier brand name options.

    I directed most of my spending to ALDI and a bit to Coles. They have completely lost the plot.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 22/12/2024 - 18:38
    +3

    Commit to voting with your wallet and hope most others can do the same.

  • Dollar General on 22/12/2024 - 18:45
    +1

    Metro is designated for convenience more so eg milkrun

  • Neoika on 22/12/2024 - 18:52

    Occasionally cheaper (possibly mistake though), e.g.

  • freefall101 on 22/12/2024 - 18:58

    By the way, on the Woolies website and the app, when you look up a product you see the price. When you check to see which stores have the item in stock the price appears the same whether it is a full size supermarket or a Metro store. I asked the manager of the new Metro store why the shelf price on a particular item was 10c more than theon website. He said he didn't know.

    Why not just order in the app for click and collect? Saves you having to walk around the store and pick up items too

    Isn't Woolies obliged to charge what it says on their website or app?

    Generally yes, if it's clear that's the price at that store. Depends what it exactly says, is it telling you it's the price in that store or if you order click and collect it's that price?

    Sometimes the price of an item in store or online at the checkout may not match the displayed or advertised price in store or online. If this happens, even by mistake, the business must either:
    sell the product for the lowest price - either the checkout price, or displayed or advertised price, or
    stop selling the item until the incorrect price is corrected.

    • scottishdave on 23/12/2024 - 06:32

      Great idea. I'll try click and collect on items I know are more expensive at the local Metro store and see what happens.
      I'm sure if enough people do it Woolies will quickly modify their app and website to counter this though.

  • Ryk on 22/12/2024 - 19:49
    +1

    avoid the metro stores

  • OzBerghainer on 22/12/2024 - 20:24

    Noticed this around the inner west Sydney area, eg. Marrickville Woolies is a metro despite being huge, I noticed the prices as soon as I walked in and walked straight out. Luckily the coles across the road is a regular large store with 'normal' prices.

  • John Kimble on 22/12/2024 - 20:27

    Are "Coles Local" the equivalent of "Woolies Metro" in this regard? 🤔

    • AndyC1 on 22/12/2024 - 21:14
      +1

      Yes, coles local are higher prices than the bigger coles supermarket.

  • Sweet3st on 22/12/2024 - 21:35

    All three Woolworths near me have been converted to Metro, the nearest regular Woolworths is 2km away. So they make you pay for the 'convenience' of having a branch nearby. I go there to buy milk and that's about it. Of course you can check the weekly catalogue for the specials and prices that don't apply to any of your nearby stores.

    • Sweet3st on 22/12/2024 - 21:40

      Of the 10 stores closest to me 7 are Metro.

  • nubzy on 22/12/2024 - 23:40
    +1

    Most things seem to be the same price, but a few are noticeably higher even when on special. I saw an item on special and checked to make sure it wasn't cheaper elsewhere, turns out regular Woolworths was about 80c cheaper. So I put it back and went there for it.

    The benefit of Metro stores is that they are always deleting products to make space for new ones as a result of customer requests, poor sales etc. I have picked up incredible clearance bargains there and always make a stop there when I am passing by. Also at the end of the day they do 90% off on all the dairy, meat, fruit, baked goods etc nearing expiry/BB. Can be a bit of a shitfight with other bargain hunters but again some great buys. Sometimes around 2pm I find hot food items like spring rolls, samosa, pies etc all <$1 which is good for a quick bite too.

    • scottishdave on 23/12/2024 - 06:42

      I think the regular size Woolies delete items too. I know one full size Woolies 3 suburbs that stocks Indian and Thai ingredients that my local full size Woolies doesn't.
      It's all run by A.I.
      The same goes for the price adjustments up until customers stop buying it and then the price is dropped down until customers start buying it again.
      Your Everyday Rewards card is giving Woolies additional information for their pricing algorithm too.
      Call me cynical but the pricing decisions are not made by people anymore.

  • mrkorrupt on 23/12/2024 - 00:20

    I still don't understand how people don't understand that pricing between Woolies Full Size Stores, and Smaller format Metro Stores and Online Prices can be different and also between two different "Woolies Full Size Stores" in two nearby locations. At some stores some grocery items may be sold at a lower price at one store and that same item at a higher but advertised price.

    eg. coca cola RRP might be $3.85 at store A, and Store B might sell it for $3.50 due to market conditions or preference of the people in that area.

  • ihbh on 23/12/2024 - 09:15

    If there is a price differential, it used to be ~10%.

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