Marketing expert questions Woolworths’ response to Countdown rodent outbreak [Video]

A marketing expert is questioning Woolworths’ response to a rodent outbreak in two of its Countdown supermarkets. 

Since Saturday, January 19 rats have been found at Countdown Dunedin South supermarket – which closed for pest control work last week due to an ongoing rodent outbreak.  

To make matters worse, a video also emerged this week of a mouse in the deli section of Countdown Eastgate in Christchurch. 

But, despite multiple requests for interviews by Newshub and AM, Woolworths has declined in lieu of written statements. 

Bodo Lang, a marketing analytics professor at Massey University, described the situation as “outrageous” and believed customers could boycott stores. 

“I think the logical reaction for consumers would be disgust,” Prof Lang explained to AM. 

Research showed media coverage such as this doesn’t help companies, he said. 

“If this was a publicly listed company, their share prices would be tumbling.” 

Prof Lang said customer numbers …