Said one Discovery Garden collector: ‘Went to my local Woolies this morning and there was not a single sign advertising the sunflower seeds for drought support anywhere (anyone else’s store the same?) Why do a promotion for a good cause if you're not going to drive it hard? Would've thought all of the staff would be letting every customer know during the transaction. My check out lady had no idea about it but had a whole box sitting next to her 🤷♀️ Vent over.’
Added another: ‘Many stores appeared to not have received the memo about this.’
Said a third: ‘My store knew nothing about them and had no signs anywhere either.’
Said one more: ‘Sent my husband down at 10am and they had no idea what he was talking about 😞.'
Added one more: 'I went to three stores and they were missing at every one.'
Said another: ‘I went to the one in Melton today and when I asked about them they had no idea either they said the box came in the morning and they had been giving them to people for free after spending $30...’
Many others shared stories about some staff not knowing enough about the new offer.
Said one: ‘I got 1 😁😁 check out lady had no clue what they were and i explained it to her and shes like "oh they are all one colour" i explained they were blue and pointed to them beside her and her manager told her about them! The staff should know about it all before its brought out!!’
Added another: ‘No signs up at mine either and it was only at night that they were put in plain site instead of hidden and gotten when you asked. I think they jump the gun with this whole promotion and did it to quickly without proper organisation.’
Said a third: ‘I went in at 7am yesterday and the guy at service desk had no idea. Told me to come back later. Went back about 9.30am and they had boxes out. Was told they couldn’t find them as mark like the other seeds. But they seemed to have been told about it.’
Said another: ‘It’s so bad. You would think they would set it up the previous night and make it part of shift induction for each team member 🤷♀️’
But others were still incredibly supportive of Woolworths efforts - and the money that was raised for our farmers.
Said one: ‘My local woollies had signage and gave me the opportunity at the checkout to support a very worthwhile cause!! The promotion helps raise awareness too. Without water nothing grows! Love your work Woolies.’
Added another: ‘My local woollies were selling sunflowers from their service desk, the staff did say when customers bought them, thay woollies were matching $ for $ so if we bought 1 or 2 etc for the $2 donation (cost) woollies are matching that. So lets support our farmers.’
A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed to New Idea Food that there were 'isolated' incidents of stores not receiving sunflower seed kits in time for the promotion.
'We've been overwhelmed by the support of our customers to the S.T.A.N.D Drought Action Appeal which kickstarted over the weekend with the sale of the limited edition Woolworths Discovery Garden Sunflower seed kit,' the spokesperson said.
'Hundreds of thousands of dollars has already been raised via the purchase of the kits and via matching donation from Woolworths. This money will support the vital work of our partners The Salvation Army, Rural Aid, Foodbank and Lifeline in drought impacted communities.
'There were isolated incidents of some stores not receiving their sunflower seed kits in time for the weekend and in the majority of cases, stock was sourced from nearby stores. While some stores have now sold out of the limited edition kits, there are sunflower seed kits still available to purchase across the Country and we recommend you ask the customer service desk at your local store in regards to their stock availability.'
Customers can also continue to support the S.T.A.N.D Drought Action Appeal via donations at the register or via Woolworths online..
