Woolworths confirms changes to key trading hours for stores across Australia

Woolworths has announced major changes to its national trading hours and the way it operates its deli, seafood and meat departments.

The supermarket giant has confirmed to 7NEWS.com.au that store opening and closing hours will be adjusted to be more consistent across Australia.

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This means the selected store will open an hour later or close an hour earlier to match stores in other states (see full details below).

In addition, Woolworths has shortened the trading hours of its new service counter.

Starting August 1st, the supermarket’s deli, meat and seafood department will close at 7pm or 8pm – regardless of store opening hours (see full details below).

Woolworths has confirmed that opening and closing hours will be adjusted to make it more uniform across Australia. Credit: Getty

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A Woolworths spokesperson said the changes were made after careful consideration.

“We have made changes to our new service counter trading hours nationwide, due to changes in customer shopping behavior. This includes our meat, seafood and deli counters,” the spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au.

“Customers can still purchase similar products, such as chicken breast fillet and salmon, in our in-store Fresh Convenience range.

“We have also changed our standard operating hours overall so that we can offer a consistent customer experience across our chain of stores.

“Certain stores across the country will open an hour later or close an hour earlier to align with other stores and better suit customers’ shopping patterns.

“We will be closely monitoring customer and team member feedback over the next few months.”

The Woolworths seafood counter will now close at 7pm. Credit: provided

New new service trading hours

Starting August 1st, the Woolworths deli, seafood and meat shop will have the following opening hours:

• The new service shop will be trading from 7am to 8pm (7 days).
• The seafood and meat counter will trade from 09:30 to 19:00 (weekdays) and 09:00 to 19:00 (weekends).
• 7NEWS.com.au understands that only a handful of stores will operate the new longer service opening hours as there is still high customer demand in these stores.
• In-store signage has been placed at the new service counters and in store fronts to notify customers of changes in trading hours.
• It is understood that this new initiative was piloted in several NSW stores in May 2022.

New shop trading hours

Woolworths has announced the following changes to trading hours.

• Certain stores across Australia will open an hour later or close an hour earlier to align with other stores across the Woolworths chain.
• 7NEWS.com.au understands that the change means that if your local store normally opens at 6am, it will now open at 7am. And instead of closing at 10pm, it now closes at 9pm.
• The change means that if a customer travels from state to state, trading hours will be roughly the same across the country.
• Customers are encouraged to come here to see how their local Woolworths store’s trading hours have been affected by the changes.
• In front of each Woolworths, a sign will notify customers of new store opening hours.

The Woolworths deli counter will now close at 7pm. Credit: Dallas Kilponen/Woolworths

News of the change in trading hours of the Woolworths grocery, meat and seafood store has attracted mixed reviews on social media.

One Woolies customer criticized the decision, saying all supermarket services should be available during opening hours.

“If Woolworths continues to limit their in-store service from 7pm onwards, we will no longer be using their service,” the Adelaide-based customer said.

“Shoppers need to remember that Woolworths has publicly requested and supported extending grocery store opening hours to 9 p.m.

“Now that they have this, they don’t want to give you that service.”

Mixed review

He added: “As someone who works irregular hours, I usually shop after 8pm – and now I can no longer get access to the grocery store.”

But many other Facebook users felt it was a good move for Woolworths employees.

“It makes absolutely no sense to keep a grocery store open until it closes considering how long it takes to clean it up,” said one.

Added suggested “they have made this decision as sales in the last hour were non-existent”.

“They run a business not a public service.”

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