Tag Archives: oceania

headline

Woolworths launches major online marketplace

Australians could soon have access to all their essential shopping needs all in once place.

The new platform being trialled by Woolworths is aimed at expanding the options for the some 10 million consumers who shop on the Woolworths website every week.

Everyday Market is a pilot program linking Woolworths with other retail giants to help take your weekly shop for pasta and toilet paper to a whole new level.

READ MORE: Woolworths prioritises vulnerable customers during Sydney lockdown

Big W is the first partner for the new platform.

"If they remember they need that toy for their cousin's birthday next week, they'd be able to search for it on Woolworth.com.au, find it from Big W, add it their cart and check out with their weekly grocery shop," Lance Eerhard from Everyday Market said.

"So its making that simple transaction all in one place."

"It's a big shift for our customers. They've been telling us for years that they need more from us."

With coronavirus prompting a major boost in demand for online grocery shopping, the new platform is expected to expand fast.

Other suppliers will be invited to add their items to the marketplace over time meaning thousands of extra products being available.

READ MORE: Woolworths, Coles to change make-up range after petition

Analysts believe this could easily challenge players such as Costco, Kogan and a host of others.

"This is potentially a massive business and something that can ultimately compete with Amazon," Steve Kulmar from Retail Oasis told 9News.

The Everyday Market went live today as a trial, but only for customers on the New South Wales Central Coast.

Woolworths expects to roll it out to the rest of the country by the end of the year.

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Foster carers event cancelled to make way for NRL COVID bubble

Foster carers have slammed a decision by the Novotel Hotel on the Sunshine Coast to cancel their annual conference in order to accommodate the NRL's COVID bubble in Queensland.

Hundreds of volunteers and children attend the annual event, which was scheduled to be held in two weeks at the Novotel Twin Waters but has now been cancelled.

Accor Hotels, which runs the hotel, is looking to reschedule the event for later in the year.

READ MORE: Brisbane airport worker was infectious in community for three days

Foster carer's conference derailed by hotel cancellation

Bryan Smith from Queensland Foster and Kinship Care said it was a blow to the organisers and the carers.

"They put their heart and soul into these events, as do the carers who attend them, so yeah it's wrong and it's unfair," Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith said he believed the Queensland Government should have considered how many people would be affected by the decision.

Foster carer's conference derailed by hotel cancellation

"There needed to be a lot more thought," he said.

"Not so much from the NRL, I don't think that's their responsibility, but also from the Queensland Government to think who was that going to affect when these deals are done."

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she expected the NRL to make alternative arrangements for the carers.

Foster carer's conference derailed by hotel cancellation

Mr Smith said he had not heard from anyone at the NRL.

In a statement, the NRL said it had reached out to all properties to offer assistance to those impacted.

It also said it was unaware of two weddings that had to be relocated.

READ MORE: NRL forces family out of wedding accommodation

Earlier in the week, Ms Palaszczuk hit back at suggestions NRL players were receiving preferential treatment.

"I don't think that's correct at all," she said, in response to questions about concessions being made for celebrities and sports stars.

headline

NZ to hit pause on Victoria travel bubble tonight

The quarantine-free travel bubble between Victoria and New Zealand will be paused tonight, the New Zealand government has announced.

COVID-19 response minister Chris Hipkins said the change would take effect from 11.59pm AEST tonight (1.59am New Zealand time)

It will run for at least four days, and reviewed on Monday.

READ MORE: Victoria records two new COVID-19 cases as tougher restrictions loom

It follows new cases of COVID-19 being found in Victoria, with the state staring down the barrel of another lockdown.

"As with previous pauses, we acknowledge the frustration and inconvenience that comes with any interruption to trans-Tasman travel, but given the ongoing level of uncertainty around transmission in Melbourne, this is the right action to take," Mr Hipkins said.

"It is also in keeping with our consistently cautious approach to prevent COVID-19 entering the New Zealand community."

READ MORE: Shopping malls, gyms among new Melbourne exposure sites

The pause means anyone who has been in the state of Victoria after 11.59pm on July 15 cannot travel to New Zealand from any state in Australia until further notice.

Anyone who has been at a location of interest in Melbourne cannot travel to New Zealand. Those who are travelling tonight must have had a negative pre departure test.

Anyone who has been in Melbourne in the past week and has since returned to New Zealand should monitor their health and get tested if they develop symptoms.

READ MORE: Third Victorian school forced to close due to COVID-19 case

A quarantine-free travel pause is also in place for NSW, with returning travellers to New Zealand having to isolate for 14 days.

Travel from all other Australian states and territories remains open, subject to evidence of a negative pre-departure test within 72 hours of departure.