Just come back tomorrow - Metro-centric supermarket decisions leave property owners cupboards bare
Member for Barwon, Roy Butler is calling on Coles and Woolworths to show some compassion and relax purchasing limits for property owners who are travelling vast distances to do their shopping.
Property owners are being told they can’t purchase their usual supplies due to the strict enforcement of supermarket purchasing limits.
“These purchasing limits are metro-centric and take no consideration for people who must drive hundreds of kilometres one way each time they need to visit the supermarket.
“I have property owners calling me who have been told that they can only buy one loaf of bread and one bottle of milk – they’ve been told they’d need to come back the next day if they need more,” said Mr Butler.
In the more remote areas of the Barwon electorate, there are property owners that travel to town once a month for supplies. This trip can be over 300km one way.
“It’s completely unacceptable and unrealistic to expect that people travel back into town on a daily basis.
“I have called both Coles and Woolworths today to appeal to them to be a bit more flexible for property owners.
“A representative from Coles stated that they will not be changing their policy for anyone, located anywhere. Woolworths on the other hand were prepared to investigate a solution for remote property owners, and have committed to get back to me after they explore a solution,” said Mr Butler.
“The attitude from Coles was less then satisfactory, they’re maintaining an inflexible stance, and frankly didn’t seem willing to even look at changing their policy.
“These are the farmers that supply both of these supermarkets, and that both Coles and Woolworths purport to support. Well actions speak louder than words, and there are some clear steps they both need to take here to support our farmers and those that live remotely.
“I want to emphasise that this is not about the staff on ground locally, these local
staff have policies they’ve been told to follow. This is about the decision of the
Coles and Woolworths head offices that fail to understand people in regional NSW.
“I suggest that people support the retailers that support you.”