Woolworth has confirmed that Australian flags will be back on its shelves in time for the Olympics following this year’s Australia Day controversy.
In January, the supermarket chain made the contentious announcement that it would not be selling any specific merchandise related to January 26 in its stores, which was met with a divisive response.
The decision was so controversial that CEO Brad Banducci had to make a public plea for customers to “treat our team with the respect they deserve” after they received threats of violence.
However in a note sent to staff this week, seen by Mumbrella, Woolworths confirmed that flags will be back ahead of the 2024 Olympics kicking off this month.
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“The sale of the locally-made Australian flag is timed to arrive in stores ahead of the start of the Olympic Games. In selling the Australian flag, we acknowledge that we disappointed many of you and our customers when we decided not to sell Australian-themed merchandise in January this year,’ the note reads.
“We have listened and accepted that, as a proud Australian retailer, that many in the community expected us to offer customers the choice of purchasing the nation’s flag when shopping with us.”
Woolworths added that not only will the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags be available “all year round”, but the Woolworths Group-owned BIG W, which also ditched Australia Day merch this year, will bring them back.
Not only did Banducci have to front national TV appearances following the Australia Day controversy, but the company published full page ads in major mastheads defending the decision.
“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,” the statement read.
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