Woolworths customers are in a tizz after the supermarket giant demonstrated strong intentions to ditch coins and notes by opening new cashless stores.

The retailer is currently running a trial involving cashless stores and has recently expanded the number of locations that will no longer accept paper money or coins.

More And More Cashless Stores

There will soon be nine Woolies cashless stores in Sydney and Melbourne, with three new Metro shops going cash-free from 12 October.

There are already four cashless stores in Sydney (North Sydney, Manly, York St and George St in NSW), with a new one in Roseberry joining the crew.

In Victoria, there are currently two stores in Melbourne’s CBD (Bourke St and Elizabeth St) that are 100% cash-free. The Yarraville and Caulfield North stores will also be joining the trial.

Cash-free But Not Care-free

Many Woolworths shoppers are very disgruntled and have taken to social media to express their frustration with the cashless stores trend.

Some said that this move was discriminatory to those who want to pay with cash.

“What about all the people that don’t have the modern technology of the plastic card? Discrimination against the public who only perform their transactions with cash could see people crying discrimination!” ranted one person.

Stop Shopping At Woolworths!

Others called for a boycott of Woolworths.

“I for one will not shop at Woolies if they go cashless as I don’t have a card and have no intention of getting one. While cash is still legal tender I will be using it,” said one shopper.

“Do not support Woolies! People you will become powerless. Boycott any store that does not support cash. It is legal tender,” demanded another furious customer.

Big Brother Is Watching

Others said that the main reason for this shift was for the supermarket to store data and track shoppers’ purchases.

“A retailer has NO business trying to push a cashless society!! No cash available and online only sets our nation up for crippling cyber control of the population!!”

“Once they have you sucked into being cashless they will have full control over EVERYTHING you ever do …you watch once we are cashless your picture you want to sell because you don’t want it any more, they will create another tax on it and you have no choice but to pay it as you have to pay by electronic transfer.. give up our cash we have no control any more,” moaned another.

It’s Just a Trial…For Now!

However, a Woolworths spokesperson has reassured shoppers that 99.4% of all 1,050 Woolworths stores still offer cash and electronic payments.

“As more and more customers choose to pay with cards, we’re trialling all electronic payments in a small selection of Metro stores which currently see very few cash transactions,” the spokesperson said.

“We understand cash remains an important payment option for many of our customers and it continues to be offered in all Woolworths Supermarkets and the majority of our Metro stores,” the spokesperson added.

“We will closely monitor the feedback from our customers during this trial.”

This move follows the increasing trend of businesses going cashless during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coles and Woolworths have also increased the maximum limit for contactless payment from $100 to $200.

What do you think of cashless stores? Do you think it’s a good or bad idea? Tell us in the comments below.

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