Australian supermarket giant Woolworths is introducing a dedicated shopping hour that will only allow elderly and disabled people to purchase items.
Starting tomorrow (March 17) shopping between 7 am and 8 am will be exclusive to elderly and disabled people with government-issued disability and pension cards.
These actions are a direct response to the chaotic panic buying and hoarding of essential items by other greedy shoppers which has left older people struggling to get their hands on food and toiletries.
Woolworths shared news of this amazing initiative last night via their social media channels.
“We’re launching a dedicated shopping hour in our stores to help support the needs of the elderly & people with disability in the community. From tomorrow until at least Friday, we’ll be opening exclusively for them to shop from 7-8am, where permitted.”
While we’ll continue to do our very best to restock our stores during this period of unprecedented demand, we know many of our elderly customers have been missing out on essential items when they shop,” Woolworths Supermarkets Managing Director Claire Peters said
“This temporary measure will give them, and those with a disability, the opportunity to shop before our stores officially open, helping them obtain the essential items they need most in a less crowded environment.”
“We continue to encourage all Australians to be mindful of those in our communities who might need extra help at this time.”
Last week Woolworths announced they had also begun working with Meals on Wheels in New South Wales to deliver toilet paper directly to elderly community members.
A number of privately run supermarkets have also decided to follow suit, but there is currently no word yet on whether Coles will do the same.
Photo credit – iStock – RapidEye
THAT’S TOO EARLY FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLE PEOPLE TO BE UP SHOPPING AND WHY ONLY A HOUR…YALL NEED TO RE THINK THAT PLAN.
I AGREE WITH YOUR COMMENT, WHY SHOULD THEY GET UP HAVE TO GET UP EARLY AND I AGREE WHY ONLY AN HOUR.
Look at the time stamp on your comments. Cognitive dissonance?
Clearly they are night owls that haven’t even gone to bed yet at that hour. It’s not cognitive dissonance, it’s a sleep disorder actually quite common these days. Personally, I am considered “elderly” but my sleep schedule is really completely flipped from “everyone” else. I can’t sleep before sun-up. I’m not a vampire, I am a victim of an out-of-whack circadian rhythm. Just saying…
Though you mean well, the time is set so that the elderly can shop before other’s who might have the virus haven’t been into the store before those trying to quarantine themselves do not share their germs. i.e. the store is sanitized & safer then later in the day
That’s when the stores of fully stocked
alas it was not so good this morning..l was amoung those early shoppers and the shelves had not been restocked from yesterday, so all of us who went for the reason of getting those items that have been swiped off the shelves by the selfish were unable to get these items..so it was almost a waste of time..
It is actually the best time for them to go. I know it is early, but it is also when the store is at its cleanest and there will be less germs for us to be exposed to. I am going one day this week (it is only offered for one week at this stage) in the hope I can get some essentials. I hope this Aussie initiative takes off elswhere!
It’s taken off in my community and I agree that the store is likely to be cleanest then. My only problem is the implication that people at risk for the corona virus because of age are “old” the way the lady in the picture appears to be. The “age” risk starts at 60.
I disagree. I am prepared to get up early to benefit from this blessing from Woolies. Thank you Woolies for thinking of us.
Yes, but I live on Tamborine Mountain and Woolworths is at Coomera.
My elderly parents are delighted and are very happy to get up and out early. I am very happy to reschedule my normal early morning shopping to accommodate this generous move by Woolworths. Perhaps looking at ‘What is great about this’ instead of ‘what can I find to complain about this’ Could be a healthier approach?
Have you ever been around older people? They always wake up earlier!
Well, I’m not an early riser because I read almost all night long!
The elderly are already up at these hours.
they may be up but not necessarily have the ability to get out of their homes at that time..
No, we are not!!! Not all of us “elderly” wake up early, and please try not to underestimate the “elderly and disabled” we are not always feeble, infirm and demented….just remember, you too will be “elderly” some day so please quit insulting us!!! thank you…k
That is absolutely not true. I’m 69 and a hard wired night owl. In my senior community, there are actually quite a few. We are retired and don’t need to get up early, plus it takes longer to get going for many residents due to arthritis and general aches and pains. What about the people that get up early for work and want to stop in the store to pick up something to go like coffee or their breakfast or lunch. I would think there would be more of them than seniors wanting to shop at that hour.
Yup…… WAAAAAAAY too early …..n not enough time……great thought…….but not from their shoes….
I know it is early but think of the logistics for the company to have it any other time they can put out their stock overnight and let the pensioners have first bite then let everybody in after 8am if it was any other time then they would have to close shop and stock shelves anew for pensioners! No I think this is a good compromise and thank both WOOLWORTHS & COLES for trying to help us
That’s the time the store shelves are fully stocked & before the hoarders would arrive.
Really. Complain, complain, complain. The store makes accommodations which they don’t have to and all you get is complaints.
aren’t elderly people the only people that shop at WoolWorths? LoL
Agreed…that’s just dumb Woolworths…7 still 8 am what an insult
I agree! I’m one of them!!!!
THAT’S WHAT I SAY TOO. I am not bashing from the bottom of my heart I applaud you and I love you you for your efforts. However, f in my opinion that is way too early for them to get up and get going. Older people tend be anxious in many situations. Most may have to depend on a family member to take them shopping.
Truly, that’s one of the perks of being “elderly” is that you can sleep in if you want (and by the way, I am elderly age 70 but inside I’m still in my 30s and always because you never grow old inside…..
I thought the exact same thing! I mean the plan is GREAT but WHY SO EARLY and then top it all off with ONE HOUR???! Come on now!
I believe that it is because they are trying to protect us senior citizens from the virus by having us shop before all the other customers come in and touch everything, also so they have a little better chance at getting some of the products that have been stocked overnight, we seniors move a bit slower so, yes, I would like to see the time limit extended a bit, but I’ll appreciate what they are doing!
BEAUTIFUL!!! Love this idea. Great story. Just shared. <3
I’m 71, live in California, USA. Can I order these products online?
Kind Regards,
Sandie Braze
Should have a low income morning, say on a Friday just for people with Centrelink card as people on low income are having problems as well seeing they don’t have the spare cash to stock up
Elderly people are up a Hell of a lot earlier than 7am! It’s a good idea though, but yeah, give them more than an hour! Should be from 5-8am
Not all of us I am lucky to get to sleep by 4am so 8am way too early for me. Lot of ederley need help in the morning too, most services don’t start until 9, there has to be another way!
Speak for yourself. I’m 69 and don’t even get up till 8 or 9. I go to bed at about 1am.
Wendy, not all elderly people are up early. I’m old & disabled, with chronic pain & mobility issues. I usually get up around 9.30am. Because of my chronic pain I could not get up at 5am as you suggest. Many MANY other older people will be the same as me.
Good on you Woolworths, so good to see you care for us oldies thank you so much ( the hour is ok really !! I am up at 5 every morning anyway,… no problem )
Thank you for caring.
Not all of us I am lucky to get to sleep by 4am so 8am way too early for me. Lot of ederley need help in the morning too, most services don’t start until 9, there has to be another way!
Find someone to take you shopping. I don’t live in Aussie but countdown had one time and day of the week for those with sensory problems.thank you Woolworths for trialling this.there will always be complainers
it is good that the elderly people get to shop earlier, cause if it is late in the afternoon they might not get to buy anything. but it would be better if it is at 9am untill 12noon. 1 hour shopping is to short.
Wow maybe you’ll get lucky in a Five & Dime.
My father is 91 and doesn’t get up before 8am and I normally do his shopping am I able to show his card to shop for him or do I have to get him up.
Far too early for disabled and older people. 8-9 am which would be much better.
What about elderly self funded retirees?
It’s a lovely idea. My parents are very happy
My daughter is autism… and have allergy she need box of tissue a day … I am glad super market thought about elder and ppl with disability but the hour is not fare . Pulling her off from bed for box of tissue not a good start morning. Dealing with Behaviour rest of the day . Not sure how that can suit for single mum with special need. they should have morning and afternoon ( after school)
Great community spirit n initiative Woolworths 👍 taking care of the elderly – WELL DONE !!!
WELL DONE !! Woolworths 👍👍🤔Great initiative and community spirit in taking care of the elderly 👏👏👏
Indeed, add in the drive into town and I’d be leaving to go shopping well before dawn! Right when the animals are needing their feed. Not the most thought-through plan for rural areas, that’s for sure. Good concept, just a little more thought needed into the hours of execution.
Is this going to be worldwide or just in your country????
Go woolies, I have been a loyal customer for longer than I can remember
open in the morning when the airborne viral particles have settled or ventilate the area first
This is the most caring that any store has demonstrated to the elderly who are at the highest risk of this illness. It seems that the communities should be putting the at risk people at the top of the list, for care, etc. Your company is showing a best caring heart for our most treasured people THANK YOU!
I agree some elderly and disabled people have trouble been awake and up for shopping that early plus 1hr is not enough time as many have trouble with there mobility and especially paying their bills, as always queues
I am inquiring about this picture. Please, can you tell me where and when it was taken? It is of my mother, who is deceased. I would appreciate any info you can give me. Thank you.
This gets a 10 ❤ rating from me. One ❤ is just simply NOT enough😊
While the thought is good; the execution of this plan is not. Change the start-up time and give them 2 hours; maybe from 8-10 a.m.
DAMN PEOPLE , BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU GET … I WILL BE THERE AT 7
;00 SHARP TO SHOW SUPPORT EVEN THO I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED.
Awesome idea. I hope it catches on in America! Also a time slot for the disabled
This is for BOTH elderly and disabled people. Also people remember that it was IGA who first agreed to do this.
Well I or one don’t get up early. I stay up late and then sleep in. I am not in a panic over this. But I am staying in.
Would you please consider direct delivery to seniors (with a disinfectant wipe-down at door)? We’re hearing increasingly our seniors need to stay inside – getting them out and about may put them at increased risk. Sounds you are delivering toilet paper already… How about the groceries too? Or at least provide delivery as a preferred first-choice option? Thank you! I understand everyone’s trying to do the best that they can and this all comes from a good place.
Not surprised our friends ” down under” took a very clever idea to the next level ! Am wondering if the Woolworth chain is in any way related to the former Woolworth chain of stores here in the States ?
this is a great idea. but at such a ridiculous hour?? most elderly and disabled people cannot get to a store at that hour of the day. PLEASE consider changing it to a more reasonable hour. maybe 10-11 or something?
I’d like to know at what age a person is considered to be elderly. Also, I believe at 77, I probably qualify for that description, and there is no way I would be up and out the door to be at a store by 7 a.m.!
What a joke at Morisset Woolworths the place was packed on our arrival at 7.15 and there was no toilet paper and no sign of any in people’s trolleys except for paper towels
Wait wait hold up, gathering all the elderly folks in one place… I hate to say it but what if someone unknowingly infects all the elderly more at risk folks? Can you please implement some sort of safeguard if at all possible? It’s a great thing but it appears it can also backfire, no company wants that on their hands. Please respond.
The message that woollies put out for there One hour 7.00 am shop has fallen on deaf ears here in CESSNOCK – “We continue to encourage all Australians to be mindful of those in our communities who might need extra help at this time.” took my mother in law shopping this morning to woollies in Cessnock at 7.00 am to help her get some groceries because of the set aside time for older people (she is 84) the car park was backed out onto the street. we could not get a park able bodied people were pushing and shoving to get in. They even had to call police. Seems that there are many people in Cessnock who are on a pension or have a seniors card. woollies idea backfired!! We went over to Coles which was just across the road. Not many people there. We got what we needed except for toilet paper. Staff were really nice.
Where are these stores locate
Went to woolies in Wanneroo and Craig the manager said it was pension cards only
Those who are complaining sound like Americans…. we can never be happy. Cheers to Woolworth’s for think about the whole of society rather then becoming absorbed in the “ me first” mentality we are seeing.
It’s good in theory, but, not all elderly people can get out at the crack of dawn to do their shopping. Some rely on staff/carers to do the shopping and if the carers can’t get out that early then they can’t do their shopping.
I’m amazed that this idea wasn’t thought of well before now, with the selfish behaviour displayed for weeks in supermarkets, here and around the world. God help us if WW3 ever eventuated. It’s early, yes and only one hour to do it, but it’s better than nothing being offered. Hopefully, it’ll proof beneficial to all and the scheme could be extended indefinitely. Glad someone has shown some clout.
I am from England, and I applaud this, while there may be some issues with restocking I am sure if asked nicely some of the staff will get those items needed and at least then those who may be most at need will get the stuff they need without selfish bastards clearing the shelves…yes, it is early in the morning but at least this company is trying to do something right, rather than throwing their hands in the air and claiming all is impossible.
why aren’t all stores limiting everyone to no more then 2 toilet paper***2 sanitizers***
wipes**** any hoarding products.
Thanks its appreciated