Supermarket giant Woolworths is re-embracing Australia Day and stocking up on special holiday items ahead of January 26 after being blasted for ditching the national celebration last year.
The retailer revealed all its Woolworths and Big W stores would be offering a special ‘Perfect for Australia Day‘ section this month.
Although the offerings would be primary focused on food, customers would also have the chance to pick up an Australian-made Australian or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag while doing their shop.
Those keen for additional branded items would be able to find a further selection, including flags, t-shirts, bucket hats, sunglasses and temporary tattoos, on Woolworths’ selection of marketplace sellers, My Deal, BIG W Market and Everyday Market.
The aboutface comes after the retailer was slammed last January after it shocked customers by announcing it would not be stocking Australia Day merchandise.
A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia last year’s decision had been driven by ‘a decline in demand in our stores’ but that the company’s outlets would be ‘celebrating Australia Day as a team, and with our customers’ this time around.
‘We listened and recognised that many customers and teams wanted us to do more to help them celebrate the day,’ the spokesperson said.
‘In our [Woolworths] supermarkets, we will do this through the lens of great Australian food that is perfect for the day, while BIG W will also showcase products perfect for family and friends coming together over the Australia Day long weekend.
After a firestorm of protest last year, Woolworths have done a backflip on Australia Day merchandise, selling Australian-made flags in-store. Pictured an Australia Day reveller
A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia last year’s decision to stop selling Australia Day merchandise was driven by ‘a decline in demand in our stores’
‘Customers can expect to see ‘Perfect for Australia Day’ sections in our Supermarkets and BIG W in the lead up to the day.’
‘Our store team members are also welcome to celebrate the day in-store.’
‘We respect everyone’s choices in how they choose to spend the day.’
The spokesperson added individual team members were also free to celebrate the day in-store.
‘Our position is aligned with the theme for the day from the National Australia Day Council – reflect, respect and celebrate,’ they said.
The retailer’s controversial decision to pull Australia Day merchandise from the shelves last year ended up being extremely divisive.
The move resulted in howls of protest from customers, with opposition leader Peter Dutton even calling for a boycott of Woolworths stores.
‘I think the customers should have the final say here…and that’s why I think people should take their business elsewhere,’ Mr Dutton said at the time.
Last year’s Australia Day debacle eventually led to the resignation of then Woolworths group chief executive Brad Banducci (pictured)
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also weighed in, saying his primary focus focus was on ‘making sure that supermarkets do the right thing by their customers at the checkout’.
‘It’s a day in which we can give respect to First Nations people and acknowledge that it’s a difficult day for them,’ he said.
‘But it’s also a day in which we can reflect on what it means to be an Australian and how we can make the greatest country on Earth even better in the future.
‘What I’d say to Australians is that Australia Day is a day in which you should buy Australian – buy some of that wonderful lamb.’
Woolworths’ staff reported receiving a barrage of negative and comments online and abuse from customers in the wake of last year’s decision.
The Australia Day debacle eventually led to the resignation of then Woolworths group chief executive Brad Banducci.
