Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci storms out of interview with ABC reporter after grilling over prices

The boss of Australia’s biggest supermarket chain has stormed out of a TV interview after being grilled over the eye-watering price of groceries.

Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci was interviewed as part of a Four Corners episode examining the company’s pricing practices when he was asked if Australia had the most concentrated supermarket industry in the world.

Banducci denied the claim, prompting ABC reporter Angus Grigg to double down on the statement.

“Sorry, I can’t accept that. Rod Sims, the former head of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says that we have one of the most concentrated supermarket (sectors) in the world, is he lying?”

The Woolies boss rejected the claim again before pointing out that Sims is retired.

“I don’t think you would impugn his integrity and his understanding of competition law. . . He retired 18 months ago,” Griggs hit back.

After realising what he had just said, Banducci asked the reporter if the comment could be removed from the interview.

“Can we take that out? Is that OK?” he asks Griggs before looking to producers for an answer.

“I shouldn’t have said that about Rod, about him being retired . . . I mean, he is retired, but I shouldn’t have said that.”

Banducci becomes noticeably agitated after Griggs tells him the interview is on the record and tries to move on with the discussion.

“Yeah, no. I think I’m done, guys. I do this with good intent, and I don’t do this with bad intent,” he says as he gets up and walks out of view of the cameras.

He returned minutes later after being convinced by his PR team to finish the interview.