New World Smeg promotion: Customers report chopping boards splintering
New World supermarkets in New Zealand are facing customer complaints regarding the quality of promotional Smeg-branded acacia wood chopping boards. Users report that the boards splinter and split after minimal use, leading the retailer to offer refunds and replacements.
Why it matters
The issue highlights consumer protection concerns and the potential reputational risk for brands involved in supermarket loyalty promotions.
A highly sought-after kitchen item in a major supermarket promotion is attracting complaints from customers.
Smeg chopping boards are selling out at New World supermarkets nationwide, but some customers reported theirs were splitting and splintering.
Foodstuffs confirmed it had received queries about the boards and encouraged affected customers to contact New World customer service to arrange refunds or replacements.
The acacia-wood chopping board is one of 10 products available through New World’s current Smeg promotion and has a recommended retail price of $149.90.
But the hot item drew criticism from some collectors on social media this week.
One Facebook user said they used their board once to cut potatoes and it “immediately got knife marks, with small splinters of wood actually coming off the surface”.
“It looks beautiful, but I definitely expected better from Smeg.”
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