Woolies boss would have rolled out bag ban ‘differently’ as sales slump

The boss of the supermarket giant Woolworths says he would have rolled out the plastic bag ban “differently”, as the company sees a slump in sales growth.

Woolworths has recorded an increase in profits, up 12.5 per cent over the past 12 months.

But banning the single-use plastic bag has had an impact on their sales and that’s expected to continue.

Ross Greenwood says Woolies has lost around $65 million worth of sales since the bags were outlawed.

Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci concedes Ross customers have struggled to get into the “rhythm” of the new system.

“It’s been quite a challenge… and it’s been much harder for all of us than we had anticipated, to get in the rhythm of being single-use plastic bag free.

“It’s taken our customers some time to adjust, they’re putting slightly less items in their basket.”

He says if he had his time again, the rollout would have been different.

“I’m sure it was the right thing to do.

“There’s a couple of things I would have done differently in the way we launched it.

“But we are committed to moulding a cleaner, greener Australia.”

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