Yahoo Finance WATCH: Woolworths 'contactless' delivery shocker
Woolworths' home delivery service has been an ideal solution for Australians in lockdown, especially for those most vulnerable to infection to the coronavirus.
In early March the supermarket implemented a "contactless" policy for delivery, with groceries no longer brought to the kitchen counter straight from the truck crates.
Instead, the items are packed in reusable plastic bags and left in front of the customer's door.
However, the supermarket's delivery staff might be getting overzealous about the word "contactless".
Yahoo Finance has obtained footage of a Woolworths driver leaving perishable groceries on a sunny porch without notifying the household of the delivery. The order included freezer and refrigerator items.
The security video shows the driver putting the groceries on the ground – then not pressing the door bell, not knocking on the door, nor even verbally shouting to let the household know the order had arrived.
Two adults and two children were home at the time, but were completely oblivious to the driver's actions.
The groceries remained there until the homeowner later coincidentally noticed it baking in the sun.
The delivery fee is significant. It adds more than 15 per cent to the price of a $99 basket of groceries, which is a painful hit for Australia’s most vulnerable.
A Woolworths spokesperson apologised for the incident, and admitted what occurred is not how the delivery drivers are instructed.
“As part of our contactless delivery service, our drivers are trained to knock or ring the doorbell and wait for the customer to come to the door,” the spokesperson said.
“We pride ourselves on customer service, whether it be in-store or when our home delivery drivers greet you at your door.”
Woolworths will on Thursday reveal its financial results for the March quarter, where its sales are expected to have boomed due to coronavirus-induced panic buying.
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