Woolworths' New Supermarket Gates Have Parents Seeing Red: 'They Smack Kids Right in the Face'

If you've popped into your local supermarket lately, you might have spotted a new obstacle at the entrance. Woolworths has been rolling out those tall turnstile gates across its superstores, and the reaction from parents has been swift—and furious. Meant to keep trolleys in and shoplifters out, they're now copping flak for something else: whacking toddlers right in the face.

Walk into any Woolies from Sydney to Perth, and you'll see them: sleek metal arms that swing one way in, another way out. But for parents juggling a toddler in one hand and a shopping list in the other, those arms have become public enemy number one. One Sydney mum was left fuming after the gate smacked her little boy 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 Beef?

It's not just an isolated complaint. Parents are flooding social media with clips and stories of their kids copping it. The gates, which require a firm push to get through, swing back with a fair bit of force. Toddlers, who often trail just behind mum or dad, end up walking right into 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 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 solid shove, which is tricky when you're pushing a pram 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 mum 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 buying it. "If they're causing injuries, they're not safe," the Sydney 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 duck into 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.