productcomparison

In case you haven’t heard the foodie controversy of the week, Gus Silber did a GREAT synopsis here.

There’s also more information on www.woolworse.co.za and for updates, follow @Woolworse_SA on Twitter.

I find certain details in Woolworths’ behaviour unethical, compounded by the fact that their marketing firmly positions the brand as socially responsible. Woolworths regularly creates their own versions of popular brands (Smarties/Skittles, Whispers/Chuckles), so why did Frankie’s hit a nerve?

I was about 12 when I discovered Root Beer at Milky Lane. My world was made, and once a week I would go buy the latest MAD Magazine at CNA and read it whilst sipping an ice cold Root Beer. Two years later Milky Lane discontinued Root Beer, and I was devastated. So imagine all the memories that came flooding back when I discovered Frankie’s. They have spent YEARS perfecting their recipe, brand and fanbase. A loyal fanbase that cares about the Frankie’s brand.

As a loyal fan of Frankie’s, I guess I’m a hypocrite. I don’t care if big, profitable corporate crackers or chocolates that I don’t have a personal connection with get ripped off by Woolworths, but woe betide them if my favourite soft drink and South African small business is manhandled.

The Woolworths MD of Food, Zyda Rylands, responded on Bruce Whitfield’s Money Show. Rylands recited lines like “we have not copied any one, we pride ourselves as innovators,” as well as “we make products, we don’t buy products.” Well, that settles it then. Woolworths innovates their own products, always. All the South African SME’s that have come forward citing similar stories of products being copied are ALL just coincidences.

So what to do? Well I choose not to shop at Woolworths. At the time of writing this there are 485 comments (almost all negative) on the Woolworths Facebook page regarding the saga. Also on Facebook, the ‘Petition to Woolies to stop faking Frankies’ has been started. Many folk on Twitter sneer at a possible boycott, pointing out (with good reason) that people don’t have long memories. I’m sure that will be the case, and next year or after the holidays, shopping at Woolies Food will commence as usual. Coming from someone who was a vegetarian for fifteen years though, I believe I have the discipline to stick with this.

Probably the best form of protest is simply to buy Frankie’s. There’s a very good reason why so many people are sticking up for this brand. Frankie’s Soft Drinks flavours truly are spectacular, so keep supporting proudly South African small business. We stock their products here.

Disclaimer: this is a rather personal blog post from one half of Delifresh (specifically, Wendy). 2011 Will clearly be remembered as the year of revolt.