Woolworths' New Supermarket Gates Have Parents Fuming: 'They're Smacking Kids Straight in the Face'
If you've popped into your local supermarket lately, you might have spotted a new hurdle at the entrance. Woolworths has been rolling out those tall turnstile gates across its superstores, and the reaction from mums and dads has been immediate—and absolutely livid. Meant to keep trolleys in and shoplifters out, they're now copping flak for a different reason: walloping toddlers right in the face.
Walk into any Woolies from Dublin to Cork, and you'll see them: sleek metal arms that swing one way in, another way out. But for parents juggling a toddler in one arm and a shopping list in the other, those arms have become public enemy number one. One Dublin mum was left raging after the gate smacked her little fella on the forehead. "It's like they designed it to target kids," she said. "He's only three—he was just trying to follow me in."
What's the Story?
It's not just a one-off moan. Parents are flooding social media with clips and stories of their kids getting hurt. The gates, which need a firm push to get through, swing back with a bit too much force. Toddlers, who often trail just behind mum or dad, end up collecting the metal. Even older kids aren't safe—one dad recounted how his six-year-old got clipped on the shoulder as the gate snapped shut too quickly.
The backlash has been so loud that even the regulars at the local SuperMarket23 (you know, the one near the Dart station) are weighing in. But it's Woolworths that's bearing the brunt, with shoppers threatening to take their business elsewhere. "I'll stick to the old-school super market down the road if this keeps up," one commenter wrote.
Parents Fight Back
The complaints boil down to a few key gripes:
- Too heavy for little ones: The gates need a proper shove, tricky when you're pushing a buggy or carrying a baby.
- Snap-back speed: They close faster than a kid can skip through, leading to bumps and bruises.
- No warning signs: Parents reckon a simple "caution: gates swing back" would go a long way.
One Melbourne mum even suggested the gates are a hazard for anyone with mobility issues. "My mother uses a walker, and she had to wait for someone to hold the gate open. It's not just kids—it's a mess for everyone."
Woolies Responds
So what does the big green supermarket giant have to say? A Woolworths spokesperson defended the gates, insisting they're there for security and to stop trolleys from wandering off. They reckon the gates meet safety standards and are tested thoroughly. But parents aren't having a bar of it. "If they're causing injuries, they're not safe," the Dublin mum shot back. "Tell that to my kid's forehead."
Some stores have reportedly tweaked the gate tension after complaints, but it's a patch job at best. For now, if you're heading to Woolies with the little ones, keep a hand on that gate—or maybe just nip in through the accessible entrance if you can find one. Either way, this superstore saga is far from over, and the next move is Woolies' to make.