From Orchard to Oven Tassie apples meet Aussie Mince Pies in a festive collaboration Plush with Purpose How Woolworths turned our best selling Toy segment into a tool for wildlife conservation
50 Years of Fresh Butler Market Gardens recounts their evolution over six generations
Paul
Thank
Supporting
As a member of the Soft Plastics Taskforce, Woolworths is working hard to help re-establish soft plastics recycling in Australia.
Thank you to everyone who joined us both in person and virtually recently at the 2024 Trade Partner of the Year awards. It was a tremendous opportunity to celebrate the exceptional work that enables us to deliver the best value, quality, and innovation to our customers.
We are pleased to share that Woolworths has reached agreement with an endorsement on the enterprise agreements of 4 DCs across Victoria and NSW and all sites are now back up and running. We are extremely grateful for all the support you have all provided us as we went through the industrial action. With teams getting back to work at our affected DCs, the focus will now pivot to the recovery efforts which will be a Group wide focus. Teams are now focused on the fastest and
safest recovery of our DC networks, supplier orders and inbound stock flow, transport networks, stock into stores, supporting our teams and winning back our customers.
During the business update at the Awards, we shared results from our latest Voice of Supplier (VOS) read with a score of 51.
During Q3, the team will focus on two key attributes, straightforward to do business with and available and accessible. We’ve recently enhanced the VOS Survey to allow verbatim feedback on bottom 3 scores, so that the Commercial teams can better understand areas of improvement.
We were proud to once again partner with a community group for our Trade Partner of the Year trophies to showcase the wonderful work done by people with disabilities. The trophies were handcrafted by the West Moonah Community Shed in Tasmania, a not-for-profit initiative associated with the West Moonah Neighbourhood House. The Community Shed offers a supportive and inclusive environment for people with disabilities, providing opportunities for personal development, skill-building, and social connection. Each trophy is crafted from Tasmanian hardwoods, representing the strength, resilience, and depth of our partnerships, which we value deeply.
It was a privilege to present these unique trophies in person, and recognise excellence across our many Trade Partners. This year’s challenges have underscored the power of strong partnerships, and we’re grateful for the ongoing support.
Congratulations to this year’s award recipients!
THE BETTER TOMORROW AWARD
Baiada
MERCHANDISING TEAM OF THE YEAR
Coca-Cola
Europacific Partners
TRADE PARTNER OF THE YEAR
<$50M
Hismile
FRUIT & VEG TRADE PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Australian Strawberry Distributors
EVERYDAY NEEDS TRADE PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Unilever
MEAT & SEAFOOD TRADE PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Hilton Foods
PRODUCT LAUNCH OF THE YEAR
Mr Beast Feastables
ACCOUNT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Amanda Barnes
MCoBeauty
CATEGORY MANAGER OF THE YEAR
CHILLED & BAKERY
Matthew Teggins
TRADE PARTNER OF THE YEAR
True Foods
GROCERY FOOD
TRADE PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Coca-Cola
Europacific Partners
Category Manager - Drinks
OVERALL TRADE PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Coca-Cola
Europacific Partners
With just a few weeks until Christmas, it was fantastic to also connect with so many of you at our Christmas & Summer Trade Show in October. Thank you for collaborating with our Commercial and Store Teams to showcase the exciting range of products that will make this season memorable for our customers. Thanks to your partnership, we’ve implemented a strong trade plan that’s centred on delighting customers, supporting our teams, and driving outstanding results this festive season right through to 2025.
As the year closes, I encourage you to recharge and reflect on the outstanding work we’ve achieved together. Wishing you a safe and merry Christmas and New Year, and I look forward to continuing our journey of partnership and growth in 2025.
Regards,
Paul Harker Chief Commercial Officer, Supermarkets and Metro
The finalists in this category define a best-in-class approach to working alongside Woolworths. These Trade Partners consistently showcase incredible collaboration, trust, innovation, reliability, and enthusiasm. To learn more about Coca-Cola Europacific Partners’ achievements, see page 11.
FINALISTS
Australian Strawberry Distributors
True Foods
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Unilever
Hilton Foods
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners excels in driving growth for Woolworths with brands like Coca-Cola, Mount Franklin, and Monster. Their success comes from strong seasonal execution, impactful campaigns, innovative products, and a collaborative approach.
MATTHEW TEGGINS, CATEGORY MANAGER
Matt has delivered impressive category growth for both Woolworths and our partners alike. Matt is data-lead and works tirelessly to find opportunities to delight our customers while finding efficiencies for our store teams. Working with great partners and many internal teams, Matt has reset our drinks offer ahead of Summer 2024 and we are already seeing positive market share growth.
Daniel Scott
Justin Heffernan
Rhonda Ma
Matthew Teggins
Phil Fournier
Michael Gullery
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has driven significant growth for Woolworths across its extensive brand portfolio. Through exceptional in-store execution during key seasons like Christmas and Easter, standout campaigns, and market-leading innovation, CCEP continues to deliver. With one of the best joint category plans and a highly collaborative approach, they’re a key growth partner.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Patties
Nestlé Australia
Unilever has been a key collaborator on strategic initiatives and events, providing resources and investment to support major launches and activations. In response to inflationary pressures, Unilever has worked with Woolworths to offer customers value through market leading promotions and incredible ‘world class’ executions both in store and online. This collaborative approach, built on trust, has resulted in driving category growth well above market expectations.
Freudenberg Unilever MCoBeauty
True Foods is a valued partner for Woolworths, consistently delivering innovative and high-quality products that drive sales growth. Their strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation aligns perfectly with Woolworths' own commitment to environmental responsibility and healthier choices for customers.
For over 50 years, Australian Strawberry Distributors have been a loyal, trusted supplier to Woolworths. Their leadership in sustainability, quality, and innovation has been instrumental in Woolworths maintaining its market-leading position in strawberries. By investing in progressive varietal programs and protective cropping, they deliver a superior eating experience and ensure year-round security of supply.
Australian Produce Partners
Australian Strawberry Distributors
Premier Fresh
Hilton Foods delivers fresh meat products to Woolworths' stores nationally. In 2024, they delivered initiatives to improve availability, productivity and end-to-end planning. Hilton was a key collaborator on innovative burger technology to improve packaging sustainability. Jointly, Hilton, PACT, and Woolworths won a PIDA award for their recyclable trays, eliminating over 3,000 tons of virgin plastic.
Hilton Foods
Amanda has transformed MCoBeauty into a cosmetics powerhouse, now over 50% of the category in Woolworths. Her record-breaking promotions showcase her exceptional leadership and collaboration. Amanda’s ability to align in-store execution with social media engagement continually drives customer growth and category success, making her a true partner to Woolworths.
Nathan Sebbens - Kinrise
Peter Cull - Red Rich Fruits
Amanda BarnesMCoBeauty
MrBeast Feastables, the confectionery brand from YouTube sensation MrBeast, made a spectacular Australian debut. A viral video filmed in the Double Bay Woolworths store, featuring a competition to give away 10 cars at the Sydney Opera House, captivated audiences.
MrBeast Feastables
Weet-Bix Coco Crunch
Lynx Fine Fragrance
Completing 99,000 store visits annually, CCEP dedicated field team services every Woolworths store in Australia, driving effective promotions, successful seasonal events, planogram implementation, and product availability.
Hismile has disrupted the Oral Care category, bringing innovation and excitement to Woolworths customers. They have driven significant incremental sales, attracted new customers, and delivered marketleading executions that have surprised and delighted. HiSmile's agility and capability have enabled them to quickly partner with Woolworths on new opportunities, resulting in impressive results in a short period.
The Better Tomorrow award celebrates sustainability best practice and innovation in our supply chain, delivering impact in the areas of People, Planet, and/or Product.
Baiada has reduced its environmental impact both in their operations and their supply chain. In their operations, they have installed biogas recovery systems that generate over 10% of their energy needs. They have also reduced water use by 24% with one site re-using up to 90% of process water. In their supply chain, Baiada is working with their partners to reduce emissions through renewable energy, with some achieving 100% renewable and off-grid power supply.
On Friday 5 December 1924, Woolworths Stupendous Bargain Basement opened in Sydney’s Imperial Arcade. It was a variety store, selling goods like hardware, clothing, and cosmetics. The prices were so low that an opening day advertisement promised: “You’ll want to live at Woolworths.”
The hype paid off. When the doors opened, a massive crowd surged inside, scrambling to buy all the tea kettles, scrub brushes, cutlery, and cooking pots they could carry home.
Hundreds of stores began opening across Australia and New Zealand. The goods remained the same, with food items rarely sold, and only through one-off consignments.
Fresh food was an even scarcer sight in those days. You were more likely to find a tin of sheep’s tongue (a real delicacy in the 1930s) than fresh fruit or vegetables.
In the flourishing post-war economy of the late 1950s, Woolworths began making the gradual shift into groceries. It all began at our Dee Why variety store, which was extended to include food aisles in 1957. This was also our first self-service store, where customers chose their own goods from the shelves and then paid at the front counter.
Three years later, in 1960, we opened our first purposebuilt supermarket in Warrawong, NSW. The fanfare for this grand opening was taken to the next level. A marching band paraded by the entrance. 500 balloons were released from the rooftop. A vintage 1924 automobile was filled with groceries and given away to one lucky customer.
Over 8,000 people were bussed in from surrounding suburbs. Every car park in the area was full. And at 9:30am, over 2,000 customers swept inside our modern, glamorous supermarket. 15 brand-new checkouts worked nonstop, with team members brought in from other stores to help. The day’s largest transaction was a then-whopping £22, which is over $700 today.
On the following Monday, a grand cake was unveiled to celebrate. It was so wide, and towered so high, that a thousand lucky customers got a taste. The cake was created by Australia's largest bakery at the time, Gartrell White. They would remain a household staple, though under a different name, as they were purchased by Tip Top Bakeries in 1949.
As a nod to the partnerships behind so many Woolworths milestones, we decided to recreate this iconic cake.
The expertise of Sticky Foods was sought to recreate the five-tier marvel. Sticky Foods has supplied Woolworths for a decade, providing finished goods such as muffins, sponges, fruit mince pies, the famous mud cake range, as well as bakery ingredients.
The cake was unveiled at our 100th birthday celebration at the Norwest Support Office. The original was made by the leading bakery of its time, and today we’re collaborating with one of our leading bakery suppliers. It stands as a tribute to where we came from, but with a modern twist.
Our thanks to Sticky Foods for this heartfelt, and by all accounts delicious, reminder of the partnerships behind 100 years of Woolworths history.
Supporting local Suppliers with some of the season’s sweetest treats.
Tasmania, with its pristine environment and rich agricultural heritage, is a haven for producers dedicated to quality and sustainability. This is where we find two familyrun businesses, R&R Smith and Daly Farms, who have not only mastered their respective crafts, but also forged innovative paths to success thanks in part to their strong partnerships with Woolworths. And in 2024, they’re sure to play a featured part in the production that is the Christmas feast.
In Tassie’s Huon Valley amidst rolling hills and orchards laden with fruit, R&R Smith, a fourth-generation apple producer, has been cultivating premium organic apples for over 24 years. Led by Andrew Smith, this family has embraced tradition while constantly seeking new ways to innovate and thrive.
"We are very much a hamster on the wheel, and that is business," says Andrew, highlighting the constant drive and dedication required to succeed in the competitive agricultural landscape. Their commitment to quality and sustainability led them to partner with Woolworths in 2006, supplying their Macrobranded organic apples to stores across Australia."
"Woolworths have high-quality products and allow us to reach more consumers than we could possibly get to through any other business." This collaboration has enabled R&R Smith to expand their organic apple production significantly, introducing consumers to unique varieties like the exclusive Southern Bliss, a crisp and juicy apple with a tropical twist.
But R&R Smith's ingenuity doesn't stop at apples. Recognising the value of utilising every part of their harvest, they established Willie Smith's Cider, named after the family patriarch. This venture has also allowed them to transform their "second-grade" apples into a premium apple brandy, a "Tassie Take" on the traditional French Calvados, boasting rich flavors of baked apple, caramel, and fruitcake.
This year, Willie Smith's has taken their innovation a step further by partnering with a third-generation Australian baker to create Woolworths Gold Fruit Mince Pies infused with their signature apple brandy. "We get excited about everything that has apple in it," Andrew enthuses. "This is a great collaboration for us."
Meanwhile, on the southeastern coast of Tasmania, overlooking Boomer Bay, another family farm is embracing sustainability and value-adding in a unique way. Daly Farms, a potato producer with a 35-year relationship with Woolworths, has transformed their "misshapen" potatoes into a thriving distillery, Hellfire Bluff.
"It costs the same amount to grow a firstgrade potato as it does a second," explains Ruby, the Business Manager at Daly Farms. "So it's really important that we make sure we have a sustainable farm."
This commitment to minimising waste led them to create Hellfire Bluff Distillery, where they craft a unique potato vodka, a rarity in Australia, and a range of award-winning gins.
Their Summer Gin, featuring Tasmanian botanicals like leatherwood honey, boronia, and pepper berries, has garnered international acclaim, winning "Best
Australian Gin" at the World Gin Awards in London. This exceptional gin has also found its way into Woolworths' Gin Infused Fruit Mince Pies, adding a distinctive Tasmanian twist to this holiday favourite.
"We worked really closely with the Bakery team to make sure that what we're producing works really well with the tarts." says Ruby. This collaboration highlights the strong partnership between Daly Farms and Woolworths, showcasing their shared commitment to quality and innovation.
Both R&R Smith and Daly Farms exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to sustainability that define successful suppliers. Their collaborations with Woolworths demonstrate the power of strong partnerships in bringing innovative and high-quality products to consumers. By embracing their unique strengths and leveraging their resources, these family farms have cultivated not only exceptional produce, but innovative new options for this year’s Christmas celebrations.
Woolworths' commitment to innovation, purpose, and community well-being was on full display with the creation of the Jumbo Plush Australia range, a collaboration with WIRES. This initiative was more than just a product launch; it was the answer to a unique question — how can we create positive impact through our range, while fostering joy and strengthening partnerships?
At the heart of this initiative was a delightful collection of plush toys featuring a quartet of iconic Australian animals — the cockatoo, emu, crocodile, and wombat. These cuddly companions were born from a desire to create "a plush with purpose," as Erin Bray, Assistant Category Manager and BuyerSeasonal Events, eloquently puts it. This
Erin Bray
Assistant Category Manager and BuyerSeasonal Events
vision extended beyond simply creating adorable toys; it was about fostering a deeper connection to Australia's unique fauna and contributing to its preservation.
“I was looking for something that was really exciting and new for customers, whilst being able to give back to the community. Our customers usually love animal-inspired
products, and we have a pre-existing relationship with WIRES, so the idea came quite naturally.”
The journey from concept to reality was long, but ultimately fruitful. The Toy team, driven by a vision to offer something unique and educational, embarked on a mission to design plushies that resonated with customers' love for animal-inspired products while also aligning with Woolworths' commitment to sustainability and community well-being. For every plush sold, a donation would be made to WIRES.
The team worked hand-in-hand with Woolworths' Group Sourcing Team in Hong Kong, a partnership that proved instrumental in bringing their vision to life. Every aspect of the plushies' creation was carefully considered. Fabric selection, seaming, and overall design were all meticulously refined to ensure that the final products were not only adorable, but also durable and high-quality.
"It was a very hand-in-hand process across a lot of teams to get the product from sketch and concept to an actual product. It’s quite a rewarding cycle to be a part of, to see it go from an idea to a product, and then to have it land in stores.”
The result? A range of jumbo plush toys that appealed to customers of all ages. These plushies weren't just toys; they were ambassadors for Australia's unique wildlife, and a source of immense joy for those who purchased them.
"Customers loved them. Plush is the number one toy segment for Woolworths customers, and the Jumbo Australiana range resonated. The cockatoo was a bestseller, the wombat was the fastest seller and the emu, with its endearingly confused expression, was a team favourite."
The success of the initiative, which sold out in stores, extended far beyond customer delight. Through this project, Woolworths was able to raise over seven thousand dollars for WIRES, a vital contribution that directly supports disaster relief efforts and helps protect vulnerable native animals.
Woolworths’ support for WIRES won’t end there, with a range of other product lines over Christmas that will also see a percentage of sales donated, including the popular Reindeer Carrots and Wally the Wombat chocolate cake.
This initiative also underscored the strength of Woolworths' ongoing partnership with WIRES.
Leanne Taylor, WIRES CEO, echoed the sentiment;
“We are extremely grateful for the ongoing partnership with Woolworths, a collaboration which continues to help us rehabilitate native wildlife in need on a daily basis. From the success of the jumbo Plushies to the Food for Wildlife program, Woolworths has an enormously positive impact on our ability to save native animals’ lives and release them back into their natural habitat where they belong.”
Building upon a long-standing and fruitful collaboration, the Jumbo Australian Plush range represented a shared vision for protecting and preserving Australia's precious wildlife.
The Jumbo Australiana range was so well received, we can reveal it will make a return in 2025. Woolworths is delighted to continue their collaboration with WIRES, and to support its good work in the community, by creating products that not only delight customers but also contribute to a greater good.
The packaging industry is at the heart of sustainability discussions worldwide, evolving rapidly to meet the demands of eco-conscious consumers and environmental imperatives.
Coordinated by the Australian Institute of Packaging, the Packaging Innovation and Design Awards (PIDA) recognises industry leaders and celebrates pioneering contributions across Australia and New Zealand.
At the 2024 PIDA Awards, Woolworths, Pact Group, and Hilton Foods secured a Bronze in the Sustainable Packaging Design category for their collaboration on
Modified Atmosphere
Packaging (MAP)
Meat Trays, a truly circular solution that reduces virgin plastic and supports recycling in Australia.
Central to this achievement is Bryan McKay, Woolworths Food Company's Head of Packaging, recently honoured as the Industry Packaging Professional of the Year. With a remarkable 30-year career shaping sustainable packaging for FMCG giants, Bryan is an influential force driving Woolworths' commitment to environmentally conscious design.
We sat down with Bryan to learn about his career, his passion for sustainability, and the journey of the MAP Meat Trays from concept to award-winning innovation.
Q: Bryan, congratulations on your recognition as Industry Packaging Professional of the Year! Please start by sharing a bit about your role here at Woolworths.
Bryan: Thank you! I'm currently the Head of Packaging for Woolworths Food Company, where I've been for about three years. My role centres on spearheading innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, something I'm deeply passionate about. This award is particularly meaningful because it's an acknowledgment of my contributions over the past 20 years in the industry. It's a great honour to be recognised by my peers, and it reflects the collective effort of the amazing teams I've had the privilege of leading.
Q: You're known as the "mastermind" behind major packaging innovations, like the iconic MasterFoods squeezeon tomato sauce packet. Did you always plan to work in packaging?
Bryan: Funnily enough, not initially! I studied food science, and my first role was in food processing. But as I delved into packaging, I found it to be a fascinating intersection of science, design, and functionality. My early work at MasterFoods solidified my passion for packaging, and I've loved innovating ever since. At Woolworths, packaging is about much more than containment; it's about making the packaging itself a valuable, sustainable resource.
Q: You touched on sustainability—how has this impacted your approach to packaging innovation?
Bryan: When I first started, packaging was primarily viewed as disposable. Now, it's about creating a system where packaging adds value without creating waste. The shift in consumer awareness has been massive. Fifteen years ago, sustainability became a growing priority, and over the last decade, it's evolved into a fundamental aspect of packaging design. Now, it's as important as the product itself. For instance, we're innovating to replace nonrecyclable materials, like PVC, with curbside-recyclable PET. We need to ensure our packaging is both environmentally friendly and still effective at protecting the product. Compromising on quality would defeat the purpose, as that could lead to food waste— another critical issue.
Q: Woolworths, Greenstock, and our packaging partners were awarded Bronze for the MAP Meat Trays, an excellent example of sustainable innovation. Could you walk us through the development process?
Bryan: Certainly. Our MAP Meat Tray project has been an ongoing journey. These trays were once made from non-recyclable materials like Styrofoam and PVC. Today, they're made of PET, which is recyclable curbside. We also use 70% recycled plastic in these trays, saving over 3,000 tonnes of virgin plastic each year. And, more recently, Woolworths Food Company and Greenstock have been pioneering 'tray-to-tray' recycling, an Australian first, where used trays can be recycled into new trays. This shift isn't just about product design; it's about investing in infrastructure and collaboration across the supply chain—from our suppliers, Hilton Foods, and our packaging partner, Pact Group. Sustainability is an ongoing journey, and each step brings us closer to a truly circular economy.
Q: You mentioned that packaging is much more than just containment at Woolworths. How does Woolworths leverage its scale to drive innovation in sustainable packaging?
Bryan: Woolworths' scale is a huge asset. It allows us to make changes with significant impact—like eliminating 3,200 tonnes of virgin plastic annually. Few companies have the resources to create this level of change. Woolworths not only supports these goals but actively drives them. For instance, we are
currently working to be the first in Australia to adopt 30% recycled plastic in 1.25L soft drink bottles. We also led the industry by implementing the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) on over 8,000 products, a significant step for recycling education. Being part of a team that isn't just talking about change but actively making it happen is inspiring.
Q: With so many projects on the go, what's next for sustainable packaging at Woolworths?
Bryan: The journey continues. Sustainability is about continuous improvement, and at Woolworths, we're constantly exploring ways to lead the industry. Our recent initiatives, like the MAP trays, show the evolving packaging landscape. And it's only possible because of the strong commitment to sustainability across the entire organisation. It's rewarding to know that our work has a visible impact, whether through the products on our shelves or the innovations in recycling. Woolworths' commitment to sustainability is unwavering, motivating me and my team to keep pushing boundaries.
The great thing about packaging is that everyone can play a role in sustainability, so be sure to read the ARL, put packaging in the correct bin, and buy products made with recycled packaging. We will be better, together.
Melbourne is renowned for its vibrant dining scene, with options spanning world-class restaurants, cosy local cafés, and bustling artisan markets that celebrate local flavours and culinary innovation.
The city's reputation as Australia’s culinary capital goes beyond the creativity of its chefs and the diversity of its eateries; it’s deeply tied to the quality of its ingredients.
At the heart of Melbourne's food culture is farm-fresh produce sourced from local and regional growers, providing the foundation for cuisine that's as fresh and flavorful as it is inventive.
Among them, Butler Market Gardens stands out as a family-owned business that has been a pillar of the community for five decades. Just a 30-minute drive from the city, in Heatherton, Butler Market Gardens has grown from a local market supplier to a staple in shopping baskets across Victoria, NSW, and even Tasmania.
This impressive journey is steeped in family tradition and a passion for farming, guided by CEO and sixth-generation farmer Rick Butler.
Rick recounts, “Taking us all the way back to 1912, the Butler family began its journey in market gardening and distributing through the Queen Victoria and Melbourne markets. It was around May in 1974 when my father, Peter, first directly supplied Woolworths, which means this year marks our 50-year-long supply partnership.”
After expanding from their small Cheltenham farm in the early 80’s with the purchase of a 17-acre property in Heatherton that would become their base of operations, Butler Market Gardens delved into niche product lines, offering Spring Onions, Radish, Spinach, and Parsley for the first time. Asian Vegetables were introduced in the 90’s, and would soon become what they were best known for.
The business now operates over 300 acres of land across regions like Gippsland, Mornington Peninsula, Northern Victoria and Bundaberg, with a national supply capability supported by 4 hectares of protected cropping to enable year-round harvests.
Today, for Woolworths customers, Butler Market Gardens is the name behind fresh, quality ingredients that make it into their shopping baskets and onto their dinner
plates - including Spring Onions, Asian Vegetables, Herbs, and Organics like Broccoli, Zucchini, and Pumpkin.
The business has continued to evolve under Rick’s leadership. Since he purchased Butler Market Gardens from his parents in 2015, he has embraced opportunities for growth, including introducing a new focus on organic production.
In February 2022, Butler Market Gardens was awarded a $500,000 interest-free loan from Woolworths.
With the funding assistance, Butler Market Gardens' doubled their organic production, and increased water efficiency through irrigation upgrades and expansion.
Rick also reflects on his journey through the business, sharing that his first days were spent washing spring onions in the pack shed and learning every role in the company. “Over the years, I have had experience in every role or function of the business, which forms a strong base for what I do today,” he says. This hands-on experience now shapes his approach as CEO, leading a team of five General Managers while still staying actively involved in the farms and enjoying the opportunity to walk the crops weekly.
His connection to the family business and farming roots keeps him motivated despite industry challenges. “This industry is challenging, but also just as rewarding,” Rick notes. “There are no cutting corners. Hard work and consistency are highly valued, and I enjoy the challenge of striving for constant improvement.” Although recent years have brought obstacles, Rick views these challenges as opportunities for long-term growth. “It is very rewarding to be involved in the full process of the product life cycle, from initial planning stages right through to seeing the product on the shelf,” he says, emphasising the satisfaction of bringing fresh, healthy food to Australians.
One of the most valuable lessons Rick has learned along the way is the importance of the people behind the product. “Our biggest learning has been our people! Getting the right people for positions supported by appropriate structures assists us to achieve success. We are not afraid of making changes for the benefit of the business,” he shares. Prioritising team well-being and safety, Butler Market Gardens has moved away from contractor arrangements, directly hiring staff and implementing structures that support long-term growth and efficiency. This includes the use of custom software that has streamlined everything from logistics to labelling, greatly improving their operational efficiency.
Looking ahead, Rick shares that the team will celebrate this milestone at their annual Christmas party, recognising both their achievements and the partnerships that have been essential to their success.
“It’s a proud moment for us, and we’re excited about the years ahead and continuing our partnership with Woolworths.”
Trade Show is a tremendous opportunity for our Store Managers to engage with our Commercial team and Trade Partners to hear all about our strategy to ensure a successful Christmas and Summer trading season.
Thank you for working alongside our teams to execute in-store seamlessly, and for collaborating with us to make it simpler for
customers to find value throughout our stores this trading period, ultimately leading them to add those extra items to their basket.
Our team was inspired by the conversations and experiences of the event, and we look forward to seeing that engagement translate into moments of joy for our customers as we head into the Christmas trading period.
Thank you to all Trade Partners who took part in our 2024 Christmas & Summer Trade Show!
We partnered with OzHarvest and FoodBank for this year’s Trade Show to further enhance our approach to reducing hunger and food waste.Thank you to our partners for working with us to collect and distribute the samples to feed those in need.
3,970kg of food donated
8.2 tonnes or 2 truckloads of food donated
The Moorebank National Distribution Centre (NDC) has achieved a significant milestone with the first carton out, marking the commencement of operations at this state-of-the-art facility. This achievement is the culmination of years of planning and hard work by countless individuals across various teams.
The first pallets leaving Moorebank NDC for delivery were met with a celebratory guard of honour by the Primary Connect team. This proud moment marked the culmination of their hard work and collaboration in bringing this important project to fruition.
The NDC is a critical component of Woolworths Group's supply chain transformation, promising to improve product quality, expand range, and enhance availability for over 1,000 Woolworths supermarkets nationwide.
This milestone signifies a major step forward for Woolworths Group, strengthening its commitment to delivering superior service and value to its customers. The Moorebank NDC is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Australian grocery supply chain.
Asa member of the Soft Plastics Taskforce, Woolworths is working hard to help re-establish soft plastics recycling in Australia. The collapse of the REDcycle program in 2022 led to a pause in in-store collections, but Woolworths has been actively working on solutions. We're partnering with local processors to recycle soft plastics and have restarted collections in select stores in Melbourne, Western Sydney, and along NSW's Mid-North Coast. This allows us to test the process and ensure its efficiency before expanding further.
A key factor for ongoing viability of soft plastics recycling is demand for the ‘offtake’, or materials and products created during the recycling processes. Recycled soft plastics can be used to create a variety of products, including some of the examples shown here. As recycling technology advances with future investment, we'll see even more opportunities, including the possibility of turning soft plastics back into soft plastics packaging.
Brand owners can play a crucial role in supporting these efforts, by:
· Designing soft plastics packaging in line with APCO’s latest recyclability standards.
· Using Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) to educate consumers on what can be recycled, noting the requirement to remove Return to Store or Store Drop Off ARL’s, or REDcycle logos by July next year.
· Choosing products made from recycled soft plastics for their own businesses, to help drive demand for recycled products and support investment into the growth of the soft plastics recycling industry.
Soft Plastic Stewardship Australia is developing a new scheme to help brands responsibly manage their soft plastic packaging. This exciting initiative, which is subject to ACCC granting authorisation, will be launching in the coming months. The scheme’s success hinges on widespread brand participation, so stay tuned for updates or contact us to learn how you can get involved!
In the meantime, we encourage you to explore ways to support our recycling partners by choosing products made from recycled soft plastics. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for soft plastics in Australia.
Justin Fombonne, National Account Manager for Woolworths at Reckitt
How Reckitt leveraged new insights from Q.Digital to drive growth
Inan exclusive interview with Curated Magazine, Justin Fombonne, National Account Manager for Woolworths at Reckitt, shares how the global consumer goods company used insights powered by Q.Digital to enhance its e-commerce strategy and drive online sales growth.
Q: Hey Justin, tell us about your role at Reckitt and the challenges you faced in the e-commerce space?
Justin: Reckitt is a global leader in hygiene products. In Australia, we have iconic brands like Vanish, Finish, and Pine O Clean. I'm the National Account Manager for Woolworths, overseeing the Finish category and our online business.
When COVID-19 hit, we saw online sales skyrocket. We wanted to better understand how people were shopping online.
Our understanding was constrained as we had limited access to insights back then, but we wanted to succeed in this space because we believed online would continue to grow.
One challenge we faced was the difference in how people shop in various categories online versus in-store. For example, air fresheners sell well in stores but underperform online, as it is a category that relies on sense.
Q: How did you tackle these challenges?
Justin: By leveraging new insights from Q.Digital we were able to see how people were actively searching for products, making search terms crucial. We identified which search terms were most important in terms of volume and impressions and tailored them to be more relevant for shoppers.
We also discovered that most consumers were shopping through the Woolworths app.
This meant we had to be careful about how we created content. We simplified our mobile imagery so people could identify products more easily using the app.
By improving our product descriptions with commonly searched terms, we increased our impressions by 13% — a huge win for us.
Q: Can you give an example of how you improved the digital shopping experience for specific products?
Justin: Sure, take dishwashing for example. We sell accessories that complement dishwashing detergents, but these were underperforming online. We simplified the purchase path and increased visibility for these products by designing an online merchandise card to showcase these items better, closing the gap between online and in-store sales.
Q: How has using insight powered by Q.Digital impacted your collaboration with Woolworths?
Justin: By accessing these new insights, we’ve made significant improvements in our ways of working with Woolworths Online team and Quantium. As an example, we’ve been able to launch online-exclusive events, and unlocked new promotions specifically for online.
We’re also able to have deeper and more meaningful conversations about best practice online, with quarterly meetings with Woolworths and Quantium, involving about 30 people from various teams. This level of collaboration is new for us and was sparked by our partnership with Quantium and Woolworths on Q.Digital.
Q: How have these insights influenced your decision-making process?
Justin: The insights powered by Q.Digital have enabled us to make more informed decisions, especially regarding search strategies. We use key metrics like search volumes, impressions, click-through-rate, etc. from the tool to shape our promotional plans.
Q: What would you say is the most significant advantage Q.Digital has provided?
Justin: Q.Digital has given us access to a brand-new set of data, which we're confident will help us succeed online. We've gained visibility of how consumers shop online. Are they using the app or the website? Do they prefer to search or browse? We found that both search and app use are critical, so we've focused our efforts in these areas.
Q: Any final thoughts on the impact of Q.Digital on Reckitt's e-commerce strategy?
Justin: Overall, we now treat our online business with the same importance as our in-store business. It's a true omnichannel approach, rather than the in-store focus we had a couple of years ago.
Getting access to a deeper level of digital insights has improved our commercial decision-making and shaped our overall online strategy. We've enhanced our online trade plans, improved our ways of working, and created better partnerships with Woolworths.
In-store sampling is a great way to reach new customers, increase brand awareness, and create excitement around your products by engaging with customers face-to-face.
This year, we saw a tremendous amount of sampling events in our stores, with almost 9,000 events run directly by our In-Store Events team, providing the opportunity for our customers to taste, try and take new products directly to the register.
Woolworths hosts its online booking system for In-Store Events on Partner Hub, which allows Trade Partners to book and manage In-Store Sampling events across Supermarket and Metro stores nationally.
Speed up your bookings:
In response to the volume of events being booked via our In-Store Booking System (ISE), and feedback from our Trade Partners, we’ve made it easier and faster to book multiple events via a new bulk upload function.
The in-store sampling team used the new bulk-upload feature to maximise the exposure of Schweppes' new product line; 'Schweppes x Gelato Messina' with in-store sampling events at 121 stores, and 56 icecream cart sessions across 4 stores in November.
When creating a new booking request, follow the current business process to enter supplier or agency details, booking details, and product details.
When you come to the store selection — you’ll notice a new ‘Upload Stores’ button.
After clicking ‘Upload Stores’, download the excel template to enter multiple store details. You’ll need to add a Store Number, Demo Date, Start and End Time, and Asset Type for each entry.
Once you’ve completed the details, save the document and upload the file to submit.
Click here to find step-by-step instructions and solutions to common error scenarios, or contact instoresampling@woolworths.com.au for more information.
We have been making further enhancements to Partner Hub which will make doing business with Woolworths more streamlined.
We have enhanced Partner Hub with some further capability. During new article or change article submission we have created a field to capture Button cell or Product battery information for your article.
This will ensure that battery information has been seamlessly included in New & Change articles, fulfilling both GS1 and Commercial requirements. This aligns with the recommendations from GS1 AU and GS1 NZ.
To be uniform in language across new the Article Submission, Article Enrichment, and Price Change screens, the below fields have been renamed:
Cost Qualifier
Price per case
First cost per cost Qualifier
Total price per case
Cost Qualifier (Invoice Quantity)
List/First Cost ex GST
List/First Cost ex GST
List/First Cost ex GST
For further details, please see the ‘Change Notification’ on Partner Hub.
