Woolworths chairman ‘disappointed with the ACCC’ for bringing Federal Court action
Woolworths chairman Scott Perkins has told shareholders he is “disappointed with the ACCC’s announcement to commence proceedings” against the supermarket giant, while admitting “I am sure we will learn things from some of these inquiries.”
Perkins made the comments during his AGM address at the supermarket’s shareholder meeting on Thursday morning.
The ACCC commenced separate proceedings in the Federal Court against Woolworths and Coles last month, alleging each supermarket made misleading claims about product discounts.
“Woolworths Group is not perfect and I am sure we will learn things from some of these inquiries,” Perkins said.
“But we remain firmly supportive of our teams and their conduct and the customer first culture that so strongly underpins the Woolworths Group of today.”
Perkins also addressed the brand damage done to Woolworths, noting that “public opinion on these matters can shift quickly”, and explained, “our approach is to calmly and methodically address these issues, present the evidence and pursue all options that give the best possible opportunity for reasoned outcomes to prevail.”
Perkins then said the Woolworths board was “disappointed with the ACCC’s announcement to commence proceedings, and while we disagree with their assessment that the Prices Dropped program was misleading, we are committed to working constructively with them.
“I want to stress that we take our responsibility on pricing very seriously in line with our Australian Consumer law compliance efforts,” he continued.
“We track our price competitiveness closely and we know that our customers do so as well and have more choice than ever. If we don’t offer great value alongside quality, range and convenience, customers will choose to shop elsewhere.”
In addition to the ACCC Federal Court action, Carter Capner Law and GMP Law are both readying potential class action suits against the supermarkets.
Carter Capner Law director Peter Carter said a class action “will happen, there’s no question about that,” telling Mumbrella: “There is a very palpable case of deceptive conduct that needs to be redressed on a civil basis to give compensation to the consumers who were deceived. So it’s certainly going to happen.”
Gerard Malouf, chairman of GMP Law, separately told Mumbrella, “our aim is to achieve the maximum compensation for all customers who have been unjustly treated, most of whom are everyday Aussies that can least afford this financial impost.
“We say the actions of Coles and Woolworths do not pass the pub test.”
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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Myself ashamed by conduct Coles and Woolworths every excuse to public
Practice and prices every month climbing average families and people pay big price regarding competitor greed no mercy to given on judgement day to both supermarkets the word inflation to both parties record fines to both parties
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Prices are going up look at coffee moccona 400grams $33 full price $19 special used to be & 22 FOR 400grams?? Like coke 30 cans used to $26 now $48 now people are struggling all recalled products are mostly overseas products not Australian your food standards are different natural products not modified food!!! paying more for less changing packaging shouldn’t be passed onto consumers its businesse issue &their competitors you don’t eat packaging & bright colours aye it’s the product & good service
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