KEVIN STENT
Customers upset with the rising price of groceries have lashed out at supermarket staff.
Supermarket staff are being abused by customers who are angry over the rising cost of food.
A Countdown spokesperson said the abuse was unacceptable.
“On top of the abuse our team have received over the last couple of years about Covid-19 health and safety measures in our stores, we’re unfortunately also starting to see customers take out their frustrations regarding food prices on our team too,” she said.
The Stats NZ food price index for April 2022 showed food prices were 6.4% higher in April this year than last.
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Grocery food prices were up 6.4%; restaurant and ready-to-eat food up 5.3%; fruit and vegetables up 9.4%; meat, poultry and fish up 8.1% and non-alcoholic beverages up 2.8%.
Stuff
Countdown staff have been the subject of increaing abuse.
The next food price index, for May 2022, will be released on June 14.
“We know it’s very tough for many Kiwis right now, and the current inflationary environment is having a huge impact on the cost of living and on people’s budgets,” she said.
Countdown remained focused on how it could keep prices down despite rising costs, she said.
“However, for customers to be rude and abusive to our team, who have absolutely no control over the price of food, is unfair and unacceptable.”
She said the team came to work each day to give customers a positive experience in store – not to be abused.
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“If customers wish to raise their concerns about the price of food, they are best to do this through our customer care team who are able to direct questions and issues to the relevant team.”
A Foodstuffs spokesperson said they had no reports of staff being abused due to rising prices, but it didn’t mean it had not happened.
The Government has indicated it will move to increase competition in the supermarket sector, including adopting 12 of the Commerce Commission’s 14 recommendations for change. It will go further than the commission suggested on two.
