Woolworths’ new chief executive Amanda Bardwell has attracted criticism for delivering what is being perceived as a wooden response to a disgruntled shopper in a viral video.

The TikTok posted yesterday by user @meganguy382 has attracted 1.1 million views and marks the first time many Australians will have seen the new chief executive of the supermarket following the departure of her predecessor Brad Banducci.

In the video, the shopper, who claims to be from Wollongong, NSW, is filmed asking Bardwell what she has to say about her company “profiting off price-gouging during the context of a cost of living crisis”.

“Thank you for reaching out to us,” Bardwell responds.

“We’re doing everything we can to recognise that customers are doing it tough to make sure they’re able to get great prices.”

The response has been likened to an “AI generated email response”.

“Not the verbatim email IN PERSON? Wow,” said one.

“omg she should’ve just said ‘I hope this email finds you well’,” said another.

Another user vented: “WHY DID SHE RESPOND LIKE WE WERE ON HOLD TO WOOLWORTHS HEAD OFFICE[?]”

Later in the video, a man standing beside Bardwell and presumably part of her entourage, said “we’ve just walked past Aldi” in a comment that incensed users and urged them to shop at the German supermarket instead.

“GO TO ALDI ITS ALOT CHEAPER [SIC],” said one.

“Aldi is cheaper and their items tend to taste way better. Good on you,” wrote another.

“Slowly but surely I’m buying less and less at Woolworths and Coles,” stated another comment.

Data released today by Choice found that Aldi was once again the cheapest supermarket when purchasing a basket of 14 common grocery items such as white bread, flour, beef mince, butter, tea bags, white sugar, and full-cream dairy milk.