Woolworths isn’t trying to ‘cancel’ Australia Day, CEO says, as employee intimidation swells

Key Points

Woolworths has defended its decision to stop stocking Australia Day merchandise, saying it isn’t seeking to ‘cancel’ the controversial holiday, following increased abuse towards its staff.The supermarket giant has faced intense backlash, including boycott calls from Opposition leader Peter Dutton, over the stock changes. Woolworths took out a full-page ad in newspapers nationwide on Wednesday urging the public to respect its staff.

The ad, signed by CEO Brad Banducci, said the “commercial decision not to stock specific Australia Day general merchandise was made on the basis of steeply declining sales.”

“The decision to stock this mostly imported merchandise has to be made almost 12 months in advance. So, as a business decision, it doesn’t make commercial sense,” Banducci added. “As a proud Australian and New Zealand retailer, we aren’t trying to ‘cancel’ Australia Day. Rather, Woolworths is deeply proud of our place in providing the fresh food that brings Australians together every day,” he said in the statement.

Banducci has admitted Woolworths could have “done a better job” getting its message across about Australia Day merchandise after receiving thousands of emails with feedback about the decision.

Woolworths said that, while it will not supply items like Australia Day flags, it will ensure a supply of fresh produce for its customers’ long weekend gatherings. Source: AAP / Dan Himbrechts

“It’s critically important that any frustration is expressed towards me and the executive and that it’s not to our hard-working team in stores,” he told ABC radio on Wednesday.He said in-store staff had been subjected to a 50 per cent rise in incidents of rudeness and aggression from customers, while

Why were there calls to boycott Woolworths?

Opposition leader Peter Dutton was quick to condemn the grocery giant for choosing to scrap Australia Day paraphernalia such as thongs, face paint and paper plates.Dutton encouraged Australians to boycott Woolworths, decrying its decision as “against the national interest”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned against the boycott, stating it would impact the 200,000 people employed by the supermarket and put them out of a job if sales fell.

Labor minister Murray Watt accused Dutton of attempting to “score a cheap political point” while families were struggling to pay for groceries amid a cost of living crisis.Other retailers including Aldi and Kmart subsequently revealed they would also not be stocking Australia Day merchandise.

Rival supermarket Coles will continue to sell a small range of Australia Day-themed items.

Cummins joins call for a change to the date of Australia Day

The response to Woolworths’ decision reflects increased scrutiny around 26 January and On Tuesday, Australian captain Pat Cummins backed Cricket Australia’s choice not to brand this week’s test match against West Indies as “the Australia Day match”.

He also threw his support behind a change to Australia Day on Tuesday, becoming one of the highest-profile sporting stars to do so.

Pat Cummins’ stance on 26 January doesn’t reflect that of Cricket Australia, which has attempted to remain “neutral” on the issue of Australia Day. Source: AAP / Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

“I absolutely love Australia,” Cummins said. “It is the best country in the world by a mile.“We should have an Australia Day, but we can probably find a more appropriate day to celebrate it. Once you start realising Jan 26 and why it is chosen, Australia Day is meant to be a celebration of everything Australia and our history. [So] we could choose a better date.”Australians are increasingly turning away from the date in who have experienced the impacts of colonisation since 1788.

In recent years, Invasion Day or Survival Day rallies have been strongly attended across all capital cities, though many Australians continue to enjoy festivities on the day.