The Bag Lady

I know this isn’t about shopping per say but in a way it is, because if drivers carry on doing this they’ll never arrive at the shops to shop!

What am I on about? Texting or what’s apping while you are driving! I quite honestly can’t believe how many drivers do this and many are women with children in the car. Chatting while driving is bad enough but the amount of times, this week alone, I’ve seen women driving with their head down and balancing their cellphone on the steering wheel, texting, is beyond words! You can’t be concentrating on the road and an accident takes only a second to happen. Please stop and arrive alive, wherever you are going.

That said, how has your week been? Mine has been hectic but pleasantly enjoyable and as I look forward to the weekend and some family and friends’ time, I doubt I’ll have much spare time to shop. But….. I have done a little browsing this past week and there are some gorgeous items coming into the shops which will make lovely Christmas gifts.

Christmas is coming

Yes, it is! Only 14 weeks to go so better to begin now rather than later. I know lots of you will only be able to buy Christmas gifts when you get your Christmas bonus (if you are lucky enough to receive one) but start to buy small inexpensive gifts now. Woolworths has done it again and as usual they are nearly always the first with their Christmas line. They already have some delightful small treats for children, not too pricey either, which will make wonderful stocking fillers or gifts for those who want to purchase something small.

Make a start and in December you’ll only have to buy the pricier things as well as last minute items.

I always buy serviettes now, well as soon as I see Christmas designs, as well as non-perishable goods, such as heavy duty tin foil (a must for the turkey, gammon, etc).

Keep a look out for specials, and pick up a few extra of each. If you do this you’ll have enough spare to makeup a hamper for your domestic and gardener. Hampers are also a brilliant idea for seniors who either have everything or for those who battle to buy a few luxury items as a treat.

Woolworths is in trouble again – or not!

This time activist group Grass Consumer Action has accused Woolworths of misleading customers about its milk – and of cruelly dehorning cattle.

Writer Sonia de Villiers and Grass activist has created a storm by posting photos of Woolworths milk bottles that state “free to roam” and claims that Woolworths cattle are kept in barns.

The “Free to Roam” labels no longer appear on the Ayrshire milk bottles and have been replaced with a label showing a cow with a heart drawn on it, Woolworths said.

De Villiers says: “With each new dairy label Woolworths tones down the association of cows grazing on pasture but this is too little, too late, since the manipulated perception of pasture- reared dairy cows has been created in the minds of their customers”.

Fuming users on social media have accused Woolworths of not stocking organic milk and misleading them.

One said: “I specially make trips to Woolworths (half an hour drive) because my belief was [their] dairy was superior”.

Woolworths has hit back saying it was “concerned about some of the unverified assertions that are contained in the blog”.

It said it does have an organic milk brand, which is not as profitable as its ordinary non-organic profits.

“We make the same amount or even less from our organic offer.”

There is no legal definition for what constitutes as legal organic milk in South Africa. The draft on organic products has never been passed despite being in existence for more than ten years.

As a result Woolworths follows European Union standards.

The retailer said: “The European Union standard requires cows to be able to roam outside, and the pasture has to be certified organic too. It is a requirement for organic dairy certification”.

Responding to De Villiers who says dehorning animals of calves is cruel, Woolworths said this was done to prevent injury.

“When injured, medicinal treatment will have to be administered, making the milk unfit for human consumption. Injury causes stress to cows.”

Woolworths said barns for cattle were used when the climate “is particularly harsh during certain times of the year”.

About Woolworths milk – comment from Corporate Press Office Woolworths Marketing

We’d like to begin by assuring you that our labelling is accurate. We work hard to provide our customers with the correct information on our labels. Our labels meet regulatory requirements.

Animal welfare
Woolworths cares deeply about the welfare of animals. We have pioneered many animal welfare practices in the retail sector such as badger friendly honey and free range eggs. While we have made progress we believe there is a lot more that we can do to continue to protect the welfare of farm animals. Apart from our animal welfare policy, Woolworths has strict standards for the production of milk that is independently audited.

Organic dairy production (and feed)
Our organic milk is independently certified against the EU organic standard, as South Africa has not yet promulgated organic dairy standards. Organic production requires that the cows who produce our organic milk are fed a certified organic diet.

Open barns and pastures
Some dairy cows are housed in open barns while others are kept in pastures. Cows housed in open barns are fed a grain-based diet. The choice of open barns or pastures depends on the location of the farm. Depending on where they are, farms experience varying climate conditions, rainfall and quality of vegetation. Our milk suppliers are located around the country close to our stores and customers to ensure that our milk is fresh.

Dehorning
Calves are playful animals with a specific social and hierarchical structure. This causes them to play and compete for position that often results in injury.  When injured, medicinal treatment will have to be administered, making the milk unfit for human consumption. Injury causes stress to cows and could result in compromised quality and a loss of volume. To prevent any potential injury, the calves are dehorned at the earliest possible age under proper supervision. Anesthetic has to be used for calves that are older.

Labels
The labels referred to in the blog are old. However, in principle, food labels are regulated and we have to carefully balance marketing and the regulatory framework. We change our packaging regularly, for a number of reasons:
1. In response to customer feedback.
2. New creative direction on the Woolworths brand.
3. Changing legislation.
4. Changes to sourcing, producers and production requirements.

Bouquet of the Week

Lynn Holmes from Brackendowns wrote a few months ago to compliment John Goodenough of Taller Waller for excellent service. “Well he has again gone out of his way to assist me, and ensure my safety. A few weeks back, one of my clients’ little boys released the handbrake of her bakkie, and it rolled back into my gate. Luckily the child was not injured, but the tow bar of the bakkie broke three of the metal bars holding my gate together with an almighty crashing sound. After getting over our initial fright and relieved that the boy was not hurt, I called John to come out as it is unsafe to have a hole in the gate these days as we all know. Within an hour, John had dropped off a team, with a welder and my gate was fixed and re-welded into place to keep me safe. When I requested a bill, he said that the client could bake him and his men a chocolate cake. Once again, what incredible, rare service in this day and age. My client dropped off two cakes for John and his team and one for me to say thank you a few days later. Contact John from Taller Waller on 082-688-2365 for excellent service on walls, gates, motors and electric fences. He is honest, and has an exceptional work ethic, as do his team of men. His primary concern is also for your safety! Look out for his bright orange trucks and cars.

That’s it for this week. Email me: juliem@caxton.co.za or phone 011 724 7000.

Shop till you drop!

Julie