Wed Sep 25 03:33:11 UTC 2024: ## Woolworths CEO Confronted over Profits Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis
**Wollongong, NSW:** A heated exchange between a Woolworths shopper and CEO Amanda Bardwell has been captured on video, sparking debate about the supermarket giant’s profits amid the cost-of-living crisis. The video, posted to TikTok, shows the shopper confronting Ms. Bardwell, questioning the company’s “price-gouging” and its recent acquisition of another supermarket chain.
The shopper, visibly angry, argued that Woolworths is profiting at the expense of working-class Australians who are struggling to afford basic necessities. She pointed to Woolworths’ significant profits last year, despite recent losses in New Zealand. Ms. Bardwell responded by reiterating the company’s commitment to supporting its customers, but her assurances were met with skepticism.
The confrontation comes just days after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched legal action against both Woolworths and Coles for allegedly misleading consumers through “illusory” discount pricing. The ACCC alleges that both chains inflated prices on hundreds of everyday products before placing them on sale at prices that were actually higher than their regular long-term prices.
The ACCC’s investigation is ongoing, with the legal proceedings potentially resulting in substantial fines for both companies. The current confrontation highlights the growing public scrutiny of supermarket giants and their pricing practices, particularly as Australians grapple with rising inflation and cost of living pressures.
First Piper 