A leaked letter from the Woolworths CEO to staff has explained why stores put up banners for Diwali and Chinese New Year – despite not having any for Australia Day.
The supermarket giant shocked customers earlier this month when it announced it would not be stocking January 26 merchandise due to declining demand and sensitivities around the day.
The decision sparked public outrage, with staff receiving a barrage of negative and hurtful comments online and abuse from customers, and even calls for a boycott from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
Many also called out the supermarket chain for putting up banners celebrating Chinese New Year and Diwali, but ignoring our national holiday.
In the leaked internal letter obtained by Daily Mail Australia, Woolworths Chief Executive Brad Banducci addressed staff about the reasoning behind the decision.
‘Why do we put banners up for other cultural events/days of significance like Lunar New Year or Diwali but not our own national day,’ he says to staff.
‘Celebrations like Diwali and Lunar New Year are often centred around connection over food, and as a business we are committed to supporting events and occasions like this for our customers and team.
A leaked memo from the Woolworths CEO to staff has explained why stores put up banners for Diwali and Chinese New Year – despite not having any for Australia Day .
Many also called out the supermarket chain for putting up banners celebrating Chinese New Year and Diwali, but ignoring our national holiday.
The South African-born CEO also addressed rumours staff would not be allowed to allowed to dress up in Australia Day clothing.
‘Like other events such as Christmas or Easter, we support our team to dress up or wear themed shirts to respectfully mark Australia Day, 26 January,’ he explained. ‘As always, we must ensure we are not being offensive to others.
Since Woolworths announced its Australia Day stance, two stores have been vandalised with pro-Australia Day graffiti and, according to Mr Banducci, there has been a 50 per cent increase in the number of acts of rudeness or aggression to workers.
He told staff he was ‘deeply sorry’ they had to endure the backlash.
‘I want to personally apologise to all of you for the way our merchandising decision has been received – and how this has resulted in hurtful and inappropriate reactions directed at you, our team members,’ Mr Banducci wrote.
‘I know that many of you have received negative and aggressive comments – and in some cases acts. I am deeply sorry that you are being subjected to that.’
Mr Banducci reiterated that sales of Australia Day merchandise had been slipping for a number of years and the space they had taken up on shelves had already begun to shrink.
‘In recent years these sales have declined to less than $1000 per Supermarket over the month of January. BIG W has not sold Australia Day merchandise for a number of years,’ he said.
Woolworths Chief Executive Brad Banducci told staff he was ‘deeply sorry’ after decision to remove Austraila Day merchandise from the retailers stores resulted in a barrage of abuse from customers
Two stores have been vandalised with pro-Australia Day graffiti since the decision was announced
‘Rather than stocking those imported products, Woolworths Supermarkets is focusing on continuing to celebrate the best of Australian fresh food for Australia Day long weekend gatherings with family and friends.
‘We believe in every Australian’s right to mark the day in ways that are meaningful to them, and we remain committed to caring for all our customers and team and ensuring that they feel safe and that they belong when they walk through our doors.’
He also revealed that the supermarket chain engaged with the Australia Day Council ‘to seek guidance on the evolved meaning on Australia Day, 26 January and how they balance respecting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the diverse communities that make up Australia today.’
Additionally, the company collaborated with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team to develop an approach ‘that feels inclusive but also respectful.’
Mr Banducci has personally received more than 3,000 emails from members of the public since the decision not to stock Australia Day merchandise.
Despite the backlash, he said there were ‘not really’ any signs of a Woolworths boycott.
Other retailers including Aldi and Kmart have also revealed they will not stock Australia Day merchandise, but rival supermarket chain Coles will continue to sell the items.