Woolworths introduces one packet rule on paper towels after shop assistant clashes with customers

Woolworths is forced to introduce a one-packet limit for paper towels after footage emerged of staff clashing with bulk-buyers over the product

• Woolworths has imposed a one-packet rule for paper towels, napkins and wipes
• New rules were imposed after Daily Mail Australia revealed a bulk buying fracas
• Shop assistant was videoed clashing with customers loading on paper towels 

By Stephen Johnson For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 22:16 GMT, 12 March 2020 | Updated: 22:26 GMT, 12 March 2020

Woolworths has been forced to introduce a one-packet limit on paper towels and napkins after footage emerged of a shop assistant reprimanding customers over their bulk buying.

Australia’s biggest supermarket chain imposed the new rule on Thursday as Daily Mail Australia revealed the confrontation at its Marrickville Metro store in Sydney’s inner west. 

It introduced a new one-packet rule for paper towels after footage emerged of two men ignoring a Woolworths shop assistant’s late-night directive to refrain from buying an unusually high volume of paper towels and tinned food. 

The same rule will also apply for serviettes and wipes, just days after it followed its rival Coles in imposing a one-packet limit for toilet paper for each customer transaction.

Woolworths grocery limits

·Tissues – two pack limit per shop;

· Paper towel, serviettes and wipes – one pack limit per shop;

· Toilet paper – one pack limit per shop;

· Hand sanitiser – two unit limit per shop; and

· Bulk rice (2kg+) – one pack limit per shop.

Source: Woolworths, March 12, 2020  

A two-pack limit applies for tissues. 

‘The move will help Woolworths meet the needs of as many of its customers as possible in the face of unprecedented demand for certain products,’ a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia. 

The intervention was made after Daily Mail Australia obtained footage of a female shop assistant reprimanding two male customers who had attempted to buy a high volume of paper towels after 10pm on Wednesday.

‘Are you going to listen or should I call security?,’ she said. ‘We’re not letting anyone bulk buy.’

One of the men disregarded her directive and told her to ‘call security’ and ‘do what you like’ as the younger man argued he had already paid for two boxes, only to annoy the woman working at Woolworths.

Woolworths has been forced to introduce a one-packet limit on paper towels and napkins after footage emerged of a shop assistant reprimanding customers over their bulk buying. Australia’s biggest supermarket chain imposed the new rule as Daily Mail Australia revealed the confrontation (pictured) at its Marrickville Metro store in Sydney’s inner west

‘There’s no point of arguing with me,’ she said.

‘Are you understanding now there’s a situation where everybody’s bulk buying?

‘We can’t let it happen.’

On Saturday, a woman, 60, and her 23-year were videoed clashing with a female customer at Woolworths at Chullora, in Sydney’s south-west, after she objected to them filling their trolley with multiple packets of toilet paper.

They were charged the next day with affray.

Woolworths also has a one-packet rule for rice if it weighs more than 2kg. 

On Saturday, a woman, 60, and her 23-year were videoed clashing with a female customer at Woolworths at Chullora, in Sydney’s south-west, after she objected to them filling their trolley with multiple packets of toilet paper

Customers are also limited to two units of hand sanitiser.

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 161

New South Wales: 78

Victoria: 27

Queensland: 31

South Australia: 11

Western Australia: 9

Tasmania: 3

Northern Territory: 1 

Australian Capital Territory: 1 

TOTAL CASES:  161

DEAD: 3  

‘Woolworths has introduced quantity limits on tissues, paper towel, serviettes and wipes in addition to its existing limits on toilet paper, hand sanitiser and bulk packs of rice.’

Woolworths is hoping to alleviate toilet paper shortages by getting its suppliers to produce more smaller packs.

‘This means more toilet paper packs will be available to more customers online and in stores from next week,’ the spokesman said.

Woolworths this week announced refunds would no longer be available for toilet paper, tissues, rice and pasta unless the goods were faulty. 

‘Woolworths encourages customers to continue purchasing only what they need,’ a spokesman said.

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