Coles confirms it will sell Australia Day merch after Woolworths boycott

Coles has confirmed it will sell Australia Day merchandise in the same week Woolworths and BIG W announced it would not stock any specific items related to January 26.

On Wednesday, the Woolworths Group confirmed the move, telling Mumbrella in a statement: “There has been a gradual decline in demand for Australia Day merchandise from our stores over recent years. At the same time there’s been broader discussion about 26 January and what it means to different parts of the community.”

In a statement given to Mumbrella today, a Coles spokesperson confirmed the supermarket chain would not be following suit.

“We are stocking a small range of Australian-themed summer entertaining merchandise throughout January which is popular with our customers for sporting events such as the cricket and tennis, as well as for the Australia Day weekend,” the statement read.

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The reaction by the retailers come after Kmart ditched Australia Day merchandise in 2023.

Meanwhile, both Coles and Woolworths will front an inquiry that will look into price gouging during Australia’s cost of living crisis this year.

Though the date is yet to be announced, it is expected to take place in the first quarter of the year.

“We know cost-of-living pressures are front of mind for many Australians and we are working hard to keep prices affordable for Australian households,” Coles CEO Leah Weckert told Mumbrella last year.

“We have worked collaboratively with previous inquiries and are ready to work with the Committee and engage in an informed discussion on the factors that influence supermarket pricing.”