Family-run IGA calls out Woolworths after workers scope out their grocer

A family-run grocer in Perth’s western suburbs has called out Woolworths after footage emerged of its staff scoping out the store.

The vision shows at least a dozen people wearing Woolworths-branded uniforms inspecting the shop at the Taylor Road IGA in Nedlands early last week.

“Wandered around the shop, taking photos, writing things down and commenting that they were going to do better than us,” owner James Kelly said.

Retail analyst Barry Urquhart said the incident could be “brand damage personified”.

“It was intimidating, inappropriate, and I think in the court of public opinion, a lot of consumers will respond very positively to IGA, not to Woolworths,” Urquhart said.

A Woolworths spokesperson told 9News it would review the visit to IGA.

“We value the role local businesses play in the community,” the spokesperson said.

“Market research is common in retail, but we always expect our team to be respectful.

“We are reviewing this visit with team members.”

The supermarket giant is currently building a new store about 1.5 kilometres up the road. It is due to open later this year.

“We’ll survive, but it’s that small guy we worry about,” Kelly said.

“Be it the strawberry guy or the country guy that fuels up the truck as he comes through, they’re just chipping away.”

The IGA owner has lodged a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.