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

If you've popped into your local supermarket recently, you might have noticed a shiny new obstacle at the entrance. Woolworths has been rolling out those high-rise turnstile gates across its superstores, and the reaction from parents has been swift—and furious. What was meant to keep shopping carts in and shoplifters out is now drawing criticism for something else: hitting toddlers square in the face.

Walk into any Woolies from Sydney to Perth, and you'll see them: sleek metal arms that swing one way for entry, another way for exit. 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 mom was left fuming after the gate smacked her little guy 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 Problem?

This isn't just an isolated complaint. Parents are flooding social media with clips and stories of their kids getting hurt. The gates, which require a firm push to get through, swing back with a little too much force. Toddlers, who often trail just behind mom or dad, end up walking right into the metal. Even older kids aren't safe—one dad recounted how his six-year-old got hit 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 train 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 push, which is tricky when you're pushing a stroller or carrying a baby.
• Snap-back speed: They close faster than a kid can dart through, leading to bumps and bruises.
• No warning signs: Parents think a simple "caution: gates swing back" would go a long way.

One Melbourne mom even suggested the gates are a hazard for anyone with mobility issues. "My mom 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 chain have to say? A Woolworths spokesperson defended the gates, insisting they're there for security and to stop shopping carts from wandering off. They claim 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 mom shot back. "Tell that to my kid's forehead."

Some stores have reportedly adjusted the gate tension after complaints, but it's a band-aid fix at best. For now, if you're heading to Woolies with the little ones, keep a hand on that gate—or maybe just use 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.