Furious customers left empty-handed at Coles and Woolworths
Customers across Australia have been impacted by the pet food shortage across both Coles and Woolworths.
Pet owners have been left unable to feed their animals due to Mars Petcare brands no longer being in stock. The brands that are affected include Whiskas, Pedigree and My Dog.
A woman who shops at Woolworths in Fentree Gully, 32kms east from Melbourne, explained how she has been impacted by the shortage to The Herald Sun.
“It's so annoying that I can't get the brand of dog food that my dog likes. This has been going on for almost two weeks now and it's not good enough,” she explained.
Other customers have vented their frustrations on the Woolworths Facebook page.
One customer asked why they’re unable to get pet food in Vincentia, on the South Coast of NSW.
The post reads:
“Why has Woolies run out of dog food at Vincentia?”
Woolworths was quick to respond, explaining that they’ve been experiencing supply shortages.
“We have been experiencing supply shortages on some brands in the pet food aisle. Rest assured, we are working hard to get these lines back on shelves and apologise for any inconvenience caused. Thanks.”
However, National Union of Workers regional organiser Mark Schmidt has had other ideas. He told radio station KIIS that the lack of product is due to a price rise.
"Mars has had a price rise with its product and Woolworths and Coles are trying to get in and get their cut and my understanding is that's why there has been a hold-off," Schmidt explained.
"The warehouses are full, so it's not that there's a shortage in the product. It's the fun and games that go with a product price rise."
Customers are very annoyed that there’s no definite end date in sight. This was confirmed by another customer, who said:
“Where is all the dog and cat food from all of the brands that you stock?? This has been going on for over a week now at Manly West and staff don't have any updates to give other than to say it's happening at all stores and there is no ETA.”
Have you been affected by Woolworths and Coles' pet food shortage? Let us know in the comments.