Buying groceries in the aisle, a kitchen serving hot meals and even a barista: How the new Woolworths shake up will change the way you shop - and could even transform your local pub
- Woolworths is expanding its Scan&Go app service to skip the checkout queue
- It is also splitting the supermarket off from its bottle shop and pub businesses
- Demerger of liquor interest will enable it to focus on its inner-city Metro stores
Australia's biggest supermarket chain is embarking on a major shake-up that will change the way its customers shop and even enjoy a beer at their local pub.
From paying for groceries in the aisle and avoiding the checkout to ordering a cappuccino, hot breakfast or freshly-made sushi in store, Woolworths is determined to cement its market dominance over Coles and Aldi.
The Woolworths Group is already planning to expand its Scan&Go service, which allows customers to pay for goods on a smartphone app as they pick items off the shelf.
Australia's biggest supermarket chain is embarking on a major shake-up that will change the way its customers shop and even enjoy a beer at their local pub (pictured is a woman using the Scan&Go app in Sydney)
The Scan&Go service was installed at its central Sydney store last week.
It was already operating at Mona Vale on the city's northern beaches and is being trialed at Double Bay in the eastern suburbs.
Woolworths will be able to focus more on its core supermarket business following a decision this week to hive off its pub and pokies businesses.
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From next year, the Woolworth Group's liquor store business Endeavour Drinks - which runs Dan Murphys and BWS - and its pubs arm ALH Group will be combined into a new group to be known as Endeavour Group Limited.
Together, they have annual sales revenue of about $10billion, Woolworths said in a media release.
The separation from the supermarket business of the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group will involve 300 licensed venues across Australia, including the iconic Young and Jacksons in Melbourne's CBD.
Hiving off the pubs arm doesn't just spare Woolworths from being linked to poker machine revenue during an era of social media outrage and share activism.
The Woolworths Group is already planning to expand its Scan&Go service, which allows customers to pay for goods on a smartphone app as they pick items off the shelf
The separation from the supermarket business of the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group will affect 300 licensed venues across Australia, including Young and Jackson (pictured on Melbourne's Flinders Street in the city
It also allows it to focus on expanding its boutique inner-city supermarkets, known as Woolworths Metro.
Last year, the mini supermarket featuring a barista making fresh coffee and a sushi chef debuted on Sydney's Pitt Street Mall - the world's seventh most expensive retail strip.
The concept, inspired by similar offerings in Hong Kong, New York and London, was expanded to Rozelle in Sydney's inner-west in May.
During the past five years, 36 inner-city Woolsworths Metro stores have been rolled out across Australia, including at Kirribilli on the northern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
While the Woolworths Metro stores, serving hot meals, pose a threat to small businesses, a company spokesman told Daily Mail Australia it was about consumer choice.
Last year, the mini supermarket featuring a barista making fresh coffee and a sushi chef debuted on Sydney's Pitt Street Mall (pictured)
'We know customers are increasingly looking for conveniently located stores with healthy options and food choices,' he said.
'We take great care to ensure Metro stores are designed to meet the needs of the local communities, with a focus on quality fresh food and health food options at affordable prices.'
Woolworths had no immediate plans to expand its Metro stores in 2019 but it didn't rule out opening more in future years.
'We've been testing and learning to refine the Metro model over the last five years and we're now well progressed with the Metro format,' the spokesman said.
'The recent launches of Metro stores in Kirribilli, Rozelle and Pitt Street have brought together what we have learnt over the years and sets the benchmark for our Metro stores into the future.'
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