Did Woolworths shoplift free fruit for kids from Harris Farm Markets?
Dr Mumbo wonders if things have got so bad at Woolworths they have started shoplifting from rivals?
The growing pressure on the supermarket giant to turn the tide has manifested itself in an unusually generous gesture offering free fruit to kids.
But the tactic appears to be straight out of the textbook of burgeoning family-owned fresh fruit rival Harris Farm Markets.
With Coles still ascendent and German upstart Aldi snapping at its heels, Woolworths chairman Gordon Cairns last week told investors the performance of the business was “frankly unacceptable”.
Woolies is now rolling out the placement of baskets in more than 950 stores nationwide offering a choice of fruit to children which they can have for free while their parents shop.
But the idea is far from fresh, with kids having feasted regularly on free fruit over the last couple of years while visiting Harris Farm Markets, which operates 24 stores throughout New South Wales including two Butcheries.
Harris Farm started the free fruit baskets two years ago and have introduced it as a staple in every store with no fanfare, simply allowing customers to discover the free fruit baskets on their own.
Woolworths announced it would be offering free fruit to children in stores several weeks ago, with the program being rolled out during December.
And it doesn’t appear to be the first time Woolies has found inspiration on the shelves of Harris Farm.
In November last year the retailer announced “The Odd Bunch”, cheaper misshapen fruit that would have traditionally been thrown away.
That tactic appeared on the shelves just six months after Harris Farm launched its own range of “Imperfect Picks”.
Asked about the coincidences a spokesperson for Harris Farm said the company congratulated Woolworths for helping introduce children to healthy eating.
The misshapen produce concept is not new or invented by Harris farms. Several EU grocers have been at it for a while. And free fruit, etc is a staple a numerous US chains. Woolies may be down but this feels like a spiteful piece, maybe a competitors PR stunt.
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Some Woolies stores have been doing this for ages. Not stealing ideas. As previously stated by another person, this sounds like a spiteful bit of rubbish.
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Yeah, let’s kick Woolies for giving away something for free … Strange article.
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Whilst throwing out ridiculous (and boring as all hell) accusations… I suppose Harris farm stole the supermarket concept from woolworths too??? There’s another terrible story for you on your next slow news day. Go get off your lazy a$$es mumbrella and do some real journalism. Seriously
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I know it seems fun to kick Woolies while they are down, but there’s nothing to see here. As the commenter above mentioned, it’s not an original idea for either of them.
Nationwide, Harris Farm is barely a blip on Woolies’ competitive radar.
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My local Woolies has been doing this for a couple of years.
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Maybe take a look at Harris Farms Love Local program and see where this originated……
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Lane Cove Woolies has been doing this for at least four years (which is when I started shopping there)
My kids have been eating their fruit for free anyway. Attempting to stop two under 5 year olds from eating the grapes in the middle of shopping is like trying to grapple Clive Palmers largesse.
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I have been availing myself of the grapes and mushrooms at any number of supermarkets for years. I thought everyone did? Is this even news?
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Dr Mumbo, this must be the worst piece of article prose i have ever read. Bin it
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They have been doing it for years in their New Zealand stores. Great reply from HFM to a rubbish story from Mumbrella.
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