A Woolworths pricing update

Following criticism from consumers in Botswana about their pricing policies, Woolworths issued a press statement on 2nd June that you can see here.

In that statement Paula Disberry, their Group Director of Retail Operations at Woolworths explained:

"We have listened to our customers and reviewed the pricing model in Botswana. By improving supply chain efficiencies and changing our business model from franchise to corporate stores, we have secured savings which we will pass on to our customers. The savings will be in the form of reduced food and clothing prices from mid June 2014."

Read that last sentence carefully:

"The savings will be in the form of reduced food and clothing prices from mid June 2014."

I don't know about you but I thought that meant that the savings would be visible IN June 2014.

Not entirely so.

Following various people suggesting that they had either spotted no reductions so far, or only very small reductions, we contacted Woolworths to ask for some more information. When, we asked, would it happen?

They clarified today what "from mid June 2014" actually means (you can guess it already, can't you?). What it means is that there will be a process of gradual changes BEGINNING IN June 2014 and culminating in the rollout of their various promotions and eventually their Woolworths WRewards programme being available in Botswana early next year.

What a difference the word "from" can make.