Warehouse Management System Upgrade Causes “Carnage”
Woolworths, one of Australia's major supermarket chains, has been grappling with widespread stock shortages, leaving shelves stripped bare across various stores in the country. But what's behind this "apocalyptic" scene?
Speaking at a parliamentary supermarket inquiry, Woolworths’ chief commercial officer, Paul Harker, said a “warehouse management system upgrade” was responsible for the delays in getting stock to stores across Brisbane and south-east Queensland.
Woolies shelves had stripped bare in parts of Queensland and that there was low-to-no stock across multiple fresh produce ranges, including milk, poultry and fruit.
Woolworths chief commercial officer Paul Harker confirmed a warehouse management system upgrade was responsible. He said the issue had caused “carnage”.
A “terrible IT problem” is behind empty shelves at some Woolworths stores in Queensland. In scenes reminiscent of the panic buying of the early Covid pandemic, some Woolworths chains have been stripped of fruit and vegetables.
Paul Harker, the chief commercial officer, speaking at the Queensland parliament’s inquiry into supermarket pricing, said the problem came down to a “warehouse management system upgrade” that had gone wrong.
He said the problem had led to delays in getting stock to stores across Brisbane and south-east Queensland.
“We’ve had a terrible IT problem,” Harker said, adding it had caused “carnage”. “We’re not particularly happy about the situation,” he said. “We’re working very hard to improve it. We apologize to our customers that we have had issues. “I might add we’re continuing to take the committed stock from our suppliers, even if we can’t get it out.”
Harker said any unused stock sitting in warehouses would be donated to food bank and other charities, to ensure they do not go to waste.
“Certainly, our heartfelt apologies [go] to our customers that may have been disappointed when they came in … to buy something that’s not on the shelf.”
A spokesperson for Woolworths told Guardian Australia the issue had affected multiple distribution centres in Brisbane.
“Orders to some of our Queensland stores have been delayed due to operational issues at one of our distribution centres in Brisbane. “Some stores may be stocking less fruit and vegetables, milk and chicken than usual. Product purchase limits are not in place,” they said.
Users took to social media to complain about the empty shelves. In a Facebook group dedicated to news in the Redlands area in Brisbane, Hugh O’Neill said it was “weird” to see the empty shelves. “Weird to see so many empty shelves at Woolies in Birkdale. Supply issues ????,” he wrote. User Stephen Wilson commented, saying “Cleveland’s was a ghost town on veggies”.
The Woolworths spokesperson said they expected to see some improvements in supply levels “in the coming days”.
