{"id":469756,"date":"2026-02-10T03:32:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T03:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/469756\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T03:32:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T03:32:16","slug":"woolworths-shoppers-lash-out-at-controversial-new-surcharge-corporate-greed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/469756\/","title":{"rendered":"Woolworths shoppers lash out at controversial new surcharge: ‘Corporate greed’"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new surcharge is being criticised by Woolworths shoppers<\/a> just days after the fee was introduced. From February, customers who schedule a pick-up or delivery<\/a> on Sundays and public holidays will be hit with an extra $2 charge, the company told Yahoo News Australia.<\/p>\n

The retailer argues the new Sunday fee<\/a> \u2014 set to be the first among Australia’s major supermarkets \u2014 is necessary to help absorb costs associated with “picking, packing and delivering” orders on a day that is more expensive than other parts of the week. But shoppers aren’t buying it.<\/p>\n

The new surcharge riled up Aussies online this weekend after they were slapped with the $2 fee while trying to place an order.<\/p>\n

While some admitted they “knew it was only a matter of time”, it didn’t make the extra money coming out of their bank account any less painful.<\/p>\n

One woman said she “didn’t know why” her total was higher than usual until she received an alert while trying to pay for her click and collect order.<\/p>\n

The disabled customer said the new fee wouldn’t have fazed her as much a year ago, but her physical abilities and income have since declined.<\/p>\n

“Woolworths makes significant profits all the time, and while this might only be $2, the amount of people who can’t physically get into store will take this as a big hit,” she argued.<\/p>\n

\"Woolworths<\/p>\n

Arranging a delivery or pick-up from Woolworths on a Sunday or public holiday will now cost you an extra $2. Source: Facebook\/David Treloar<\/p>\n

Others agreed, and described the move a “joke” and “pathetic”.<\/p>\n

“I’m sure a profitable business like Woolworths can afford it without the surcharge, but it is just another cost that everyday Aussies have to take on,” another shopper said.<\/p>\n

Woolies customer ditches supermarket chain over ‘greed’<\/p>\n

A former Woolies customer said the surcharge had prompted them to ditch the supermarket chain for good.<\/p>\n

“I cancelled everything, including insurance with Woolies. I also emailed and told them exactly why they have lost me. It is corporate greed and nothing more,” they explained.<\/p>\n

Historically, major supermarkets have absorbed the cost of staff penalty rates into their overall margins<\/a>.<\/p>\n

By passing this labour cost directly to the consumer, Woolworths is adopting a pricing model more commonly seen in caf\u00e9s and restaurants.<\/p>\n

The timing is particularly sensitive given the ongoing scrutiny of supermarket pricing<\/a> and cost-of-living pressures in Australia.<\/p>\n

Woolworths claims most online customers won’t be impacted by the change.<\/p>\n

\"Woolworths<\/p>\n

Historically, major supermarkets have absorbed the cost of staff penalty rates into their overall margins. Source: Woolworths Group<\/p>\n

Woolworths’ new charge may anger shoppers, expert says<\/p>\n

In an interview with Yahoo News last month, Professor Nitika Garg, consumer behaviour researcher at UNSW, said the move may anger some sections of the public, like shift workers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“Consumers are generally more forgiving of small caf\u00e9s and local businesses with surcharges because they assume margins are tight,” she said.<\/p>\n

Related: Woolworths, Coles, Aldi customers warned over mistake costing Aussies 40 per cent more<\/a><\/p>\n

“Retailers are trying to get an extra margin from consumers for whom convenience outweighs the cost, while expecting more price-sensitive shoppers to adjust their behaviour.<\/p>\n

“The danger for big corporations like Woolworths is that consumers may feel they\u2019re already making millions in profits and are still passing costs on.”<\/p>\n

\"Professor<\/p>\n

Consumer Behaviour Researcher Professor Nitika Garg. Source: UNSW<\/p>\n

Coles not implementing a Sunday surcharge<\/p>\n

Woolworths’ latest financial results show the company made an underlying net profit after tax of around $1.39 billion in the last financial year.<\/p>\n

Coles confirmed to Yahoo it wouldn’t be implementing any such surcharge.<\/p>\n

Given that, Woolworths may have given its competitor a leg up, Professor Garg said.<\/p>\n

“The people most likely to mind are budget-conscious households who organise deliveries on weekends because they\u2019re home,” she said.<\/p>\n

Garg suspects that most people won’t be deterred by this fee, but they will notice.<\/p>\n

A Woolworths spokesperson highlighted the ongoing expansion of online shopping options, including over 11 million extra delivery and pick-up slots added during the past year.<\/p>\n

They said the charge will help keep their e-commerce offering sustainable while continuing to invest in customer convenience.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>