Petstock announces it is boycotting Australia Day – weeks after Woolworths acquired a 55 per cent stake in the company

Petstock will join a growing number of retailers in boycotting Australia Day – weeks after Woolworths acquired a 55 per cent stake in the company. 

The company, which runs almost 300 pet supply stores across Australia, sent a memo to employees on Monday saying it would not be celebrating the holiday. 

It comes after Woolworths – which declared it would not stock January 26 themed merchandise last week – struck a deal worth half a billion dollars with Petstock. 

In a statement, Petstock said: ‘At the Petstock Group, we remain committed to being an inclusive organisation. It is at the heart of our mantra of People, Pets, Planet, that we show respect and make sure everyone who comes through our physical or digital doors feel like they belong. 

‘It is for this reason that we won’t be dressing up on Australia Day in our stores. 

‘As you connect with your team, friends and family over January, please show respect and take care of each other, and take a moment to listen, understand and cherish what it means to be Australian.’

2GB’s Ray Hadley said employees had been warned against any ‘in-store theatre’ in the lead-up to the holiday, including dressing up or decorating stores. 

Petstock (pictured) owns nearly 300 pet supply stores across Australia

Employees were told via a memo on Monday the company would not recognise Australia Day

The radio host slammed the move on Tuesday, telling listeners it wasn’t the role of a pet supply business to be making political statements. 

He dismissed Petstocks’ claim that the memo to staff had only been ‘advice’.

‘You are making people do what you wish them to do,’ he said. 

Australians were quick to share their thoughts on social media, with many rushing to the comments section of Petstock’s most recent Facebook post. 

‘Petstock group are un-Australian and managed by radical leftist fools. The management should be sacked immediately,’ one person wrote. 

‘Very disappointing to hear that you will not be respecting Australians and our culture and are bending to minority, by refusing to acknowledge Australia Day,’ another said. 

‘I think Petstock should reconsider this decision.’

Daily Mail Australia sought further comment from Petstock.  

It comes after several Australian companies announced they will not be recognising Australia Day. 

Large firms that allow staff to swap the public holiday for a different work day include Qantas, Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, Deloitte, KPMG and PwC.   

‘Based on experience, we expect the vast majority of our people will take advantage of the Australia Day public holiday,’ a Deloitte spokesperson told The Australian.

‘If staff have to work on Australia Day due to client commitments they are entitled to take an additional day off in lieu of their choosing.’

Woolworths, Target, Kmart and Bunnings will allow staff to choose if they work, while hours for office staff at Woolworths and Bunnings will remain unchanged. 

Meanwhile, chief executive of Cricket Australia has failed to answer why the sports body won’t be commemorating Australia Day later this week. 

Ray Hadley (pictured) said it was not the role of pet supply stores to make ‘political statements’

A growing number of Australian companies will not recognise Australia Day on Friday

Nick Hockley clashed with 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham on Tuesday in the wake of the board’s controversial move to not mention the national public holiday during the second Test at the Gabba in Brisbane.

The bumbling interview got off to a fiery start when English expat Hockley initially tried to avoid saying the words ‘Australia Day’.

‘What day is it on Friday?’ Fordham quizzed.

Hockey replied: ‘Well, Friday’s a great national holiday for everyone.’

His response prompted Fordham to ask the question again.

‘Friday is the 26th of January. It’s the Australia Day public holiday weekend,’ Hockley eventually replied.

The radio host asked why it was so hard to say Australia Day.

‘If I can just clarify a few things. The first is we haven’t made any announcements this year and our approach on Friday is completely consistent with what it’s been for the last four or five years,’ Hockley explained.

‘We appreciate many Australians celebrate Australia Day and absolutely love watching the cricket on that day.’