Woolworths Promises New Vegan Products After Advocacy Groups Flag Shrinking Shelves

Woolworths Group has acknowledged a reduction in its plant-based product range in Australian and New Zealand stores after pressure from advocacy groups representing over 130,000 individuals. The Vegan Society of Aotearoa New Zealand, Vegan Australia, and Doctors for Nutrition sent a joint letter to Woolworths in April, urging the retailer to reverse cuts to vegan product lines. Woolworths cited supplier exits and poor sales of plant-based cheese as reasons for the contraction, but has promised to introduce new vegetarian and vegan-friendly products in the future.

Advocacy groups argue that reduced visibility, rather than weak demand, is behind the decrease in sales figures. Many consumers have reported switching to competitors due to shrinking vegan sections and less prominent placements in stores. The organizations also highlight that the cuts conflict with Woolworths' sustainability goals, such as expanding plant protein ranges and reducing emissions. The groups have suggested integrating plant-based products into mainstream aisles, improving stock consistency, and running campaigns to drive customer discovery, and are continuing dialogue with Woolworths to address these issues.