Woolworths (supermarkets)

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For other uses, see Woolworths.

Woolworths, or as many Australians refer to it, Woolies, is the name of a supermarket chain in Australia, owned by Woolworths Limited. In Victoria, it trades under the name Safeway.

[edit] History

Although currently the most profitable retail company in Australia, Woolworths was founded on relatively modest beginnings. According to a company brochure, Woolworths began in a single basement store called "The Woolworths Stupendous Bargain Basement". Located in the Old Imperial Arcade, Pitt Street, Sydney, it opened its doors to the general public in December of 1924. Economic progression was marked in the years preceding the Great Depression of 1929. Throughout the Depression, Woolworths expanded to include 31 Stores in Australia and 9 in New Zealand. Woolworths also encouraged manufacturers to continue to develop their production facilities - leading to an increase in the amount of Australian-made goods sold through Woolworths stores. Twenty five new Woolworths stores opened in the first months of World War II. During this time Woolworths pioneered the supply of a wide range of low price, quality merchandise to rural Australia - especially to remote areas such as Alice Springs and Darwin. Diversification into fresh food led to the opening of Woolworths' first Food Fair Store, and soon became one of Australia's biggest retailers of fresh fruit and vegetables. During the 1980s, Woolworths branded itself as the "Fresh Food People" - claiming a commitment to delivering quality fresh food to their customers. In 1985, Woolworths acquired the Australian division of U.S. retailer Safeway. Woolworths had now become the market leader in grocery sales, serving up to 10 million customers per week. In 1993, the $2,450 million Woolworths' share float was the biggest in Australia's history. In 2006 Woolworths Limited began installing a touch screen POS system in all Woolworths/Safeway Stores; the rollout of this new system should be completed by July 2007. Up until 2004, Woolworths Tasmanian stores were known as Roelf Vos in Launceston, and Purity in Hobart.

[edit] Employment

Woolworths/Safeway offer a range of jobs across their many stores nationwide. Jobs available range from management roles, such as supervision or management, to entry level roles such as nightfill or service cashier. Interested applicants can search available vancancies at www.wowcareers.com.au. Woolworths Supermarkets employ many thousands of people under the age of 20, many of whom are still at School. This is due to factors such as low-cost labour and makes rosters easier to manage, as juniors can typically work late hours.

[edit] Staff Discount

As a Woolworths/Safeway employee, you will be entitled to a card which provides 5% discount at any Big W, Woolworths/Safeway, Dick Smith Electronics/Powerhouse or Tandy Electronics stores across the country. Employees can also save 4c a lite off petrol at any cobranded Woolworths Caltex petrol outlet with the use of their staff discount card, rather than having to spend $30 on grocery items in one transaction (this is explained in greater detail later). Staff discount cards are issued after 3 weeks of pay. The card is delivered to the store the employee works at. Permanent full time and part time staff are also eligible to apply for a subsidiary discount card, where the employee may nominate one other person (which must be a direct family member) to hold the second card. The discount card must be returned as soon as the employee leaves the company. The Staff Discount Card number is voided on the cards, as the employee leaves to prevent previous employees from using beneifts they are not entitled to.

[edit] Departments

Image:Southlands Boulevarde Woolworths.jpg Woolworths Supermarkets throughout Australia are divided up into separate sections, known as departments. Staff may be trained in one or more departments, many staff from all departments are trained in servive for times of unexpected customer numbers.

[edit] Non Trade

Store management, systems office, backdock, cash and invoice office, also involves magazines and video returns. The management of most stores consist of a Store Manager, and one or two Assistant Store Managers (where there are two, one is known as "Store Trading Manager" - focusing on the running of the shop floor, and "Store Services Manager" - logistics, payments, deliveries, etc.)

[edit] Service

Woolworths provides service to its customers mainly through the Front End section of store. This section may consist of checkouts - manned by register operators, and/or a more centralised "Service Desk". These are usually placed parallel to the entrance to maximise security in the cases of shoplifting or robbery. The Service Desk provides an express lane on the inside of the store, a smoke shop facing the main entrance and a base for retail assistants. The Service Desk also acts as a storage for items of small goods of a high shoplifting risk (e.g. expensive razor blades), cigarettes and internal paperwork. One or more Service Supervisors are always present at front end and perform a managerial role on top of their checkout operator duties. Some of these managerial roles include rostering, processing returns, taking customer complaints and the distribution of check seals and store use stickers.

[edit] WoWPOS

WoWPOS is the computerised touch-screen checkout system being introduced in Woolworth's stores nationally. It simplifies operations from previous systems by doing away with PLU rolls and supervisor keys. As well as having a presence at front end, WoWPOS is also used in Systems and the Cash Office. Staff and Customers alike widely accept the new system in favour of the older style keyboards.

[edit] Service Deli

Sliced meats, cheeses, pasta salads, olives, and varieties of foods. Generally also sells hot foods such as chickens. These Chickens vary from regular to Banquet. The chickens are reduced at the end of the trading day, the price decreasing as much as 60%. The service deli is usually connected to the seafood section (see below).

[edit] Seafood

Although it is usually placed in the Deli, Seafood is considered a separate trading department. This section has a selection of seafood ranging from Moreton Bay bugs to snapper. The Demand for seafood is typically strong during The Christmas Period. At other times of the year, the seafood department will be manned by team members from The Deli Department, due to lack of demand for seafood.

[edit] Bakery

In selected stores, baking fresh bread, cakes, etc. in store. Bakery items are reduced at the end of the trading day, and new items are baked fresh for the next day.

[edit] Proprietary Bakery

Pre-packaged or Woolworths brand or brand name bread products.

[edit] Meat

The larger stores have in-store butchers, while the smaller ones receive pre-packaged meats from a distribution centre.

[edit] Produce

Fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts, plants and flowers.

[edit] Long Life Variety (General Merchandise)

Often managed under the command of the long life manager, consists of 'non-essential' items which do not fit into the general Grocery category (examples include: stationery, clothing, garden and outdoor accessories, DVDs, books, greeting cards and party accessories).

[edit] Long Life Nightfill

Often managed under the command of the long life manager, who underneath will have one or more "Nightfill Captains", who manage and arrange the staff and their duties. Staff intially 'drop' (transporting from the back dock to the shop floor) stock, and then fill stock onto the shelving units. Nightfill staff may also be required to construct promotional displays.

[edit] Liquor

Some stores also have a Woolworths Liquor outlet attached. It is important to note that Woolworths and Woolworths Liquor are separate stores, however those attached to a supermarket are operated under the command of that stores store manager, as opposed to free standing liquor outlets

[edit] Fuel

Woolworths pioneered the 4c/litre fuel offer in 2003. The offer specifies that if a consumer spends more that $30.00 in a single transaction the consumer will receive a coupon which will entitle them to 4c discount per litre of petrol purchased. The coupon can be used at over 470 outlets Australia wide are branded as either Caltex Woolworths Fuel or Woolworths Plus Petrol.

During the period of October 1st to October 15th 2006, customers who spent $50.00 in any one transaction at a Woolworths/Safeway store could save 6c a litre off petrol. This offer has now expired, and may possibly not return.

In November 2006, a new promotion was offered in order to boost sales at Woolworths branded Caltex Petrol Outlets. The discount was increased to 8c per litre. To receive this discount, customers must spend $30 or more in a Woolworths/Safeway Supermarket or Big W to receive the initial 4c per litre discount coupon, then spend another $5 in the Woolworths/Caltex petrol shop in the same transaction as the fuel purchase. This offer is strictly for a limited time only, and may continue if results are pleasing to management.

[edit] Trading Hours

Most Woolworths stores have extended and late night trading hours, beyond those of most smaller stores. These depend on the trading regulations of the state in which the stores are situated.

[edit] Payment

Woolworths supermarkets accept all forms of credit cards without surcharge, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and Bank Cards. Cheques are also accepted, however, you have to specefically apply for a 'valued customer card' to be allowed to use this form of payment. Wish Gift Cards are accepted. There are lesser used forms of payment such as financial assistance voucher, issued by The Salvation Army, and Rewards Voucher,issued by The Commonwealth Bank in return for using the Woolworths Ezy card. Cash is also widely accepted.

[edit] See Also

• Big W
• Woolworths Limited

[edit] External links

• Woolworths - Official Site
• Woolies News Autumn 2006 (PDF) - WoWPoS Advantages (Page 11)