Woolworths has announced a major backflip, which the Coalition has labelled a cash grab, just months after it sparked outrage by announcing it would no longer stock Australia Day merchandise ahead of the national holiday.
Sky News host James Morrow says Woolworths have Australian’s “best interests at heart” as they look to begin selling Australian flags again for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games following the Australia Day boycott.
“Here is a bit of good news for you, chalk one up for the good guys, sort of, our friends at Woolies, you know, the guys who have our best interests at heart have been overtaken by a new flush of patriotism it seems,” Mr Morrow said.
Woolworths will again start selling the Australian flag for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games following the recent Australia Day boycott.
The supermarket giant on Monday announced a hand-held flag will be available for shoppers to purchase at stores later this month in the lead up to the Paris Olympics.
“Given the Australian flag is the official flag of the Australian Olympic Committee and of our team competing in Paris, a locally made handheld Australian flag, made from long lasting materials such as timber and polyester, will also be available for customers to purchase across our Supermarkets and selected Metro stores,” Woolworths said in a letter to staff seen by SkyNews.com.au.
Woolworths will again stock the Australian flag just months after it stripped stores of Australia Day merchandise ahead of January 26. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
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“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.
“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.”
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie on Tuesday claimed the move was an obvious money-making bid, as the flag is set to stay on shelves all year round.
A handheld Australian flag, made from timber and polyester, will be available for customers to purchase across Woolworths supermarkets and selected Metro stores this month. Picture: Woolworths
“They’ve finally found their patriotism,” she told the Today Show.
“What this really is, the reason they’re stocking these flags, is because they see a financial benefit.
“They’re sponsoring the Olympics. So, the more eyeballs they get, the more people through the door.”
Locally made Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags will also be made available in the weeks ahead.
It comes months after Opposition leader Peter Dutton called for shoppers to boycott Woolworths over its decision to not stock Australia Day merchandise in stores ahead of the public holiday.
The supermarket giant revealed weeks ahead of January 26 that it would not sell items such as Australian flags, themed plates, cups and sandals due to a decline in demand over recent years and the growing sensitivity surrounding the day.
Woolworths staff were reportedly targeted by customers at stores nationwide and suffered verbal abuse over the move.
Staff lashed out at their own employer by opting for a private forum to notify senior executives they were unhappy about the failure to stock merchandise.
Woolworths will sell Australian flags ahead of the Paris Olympics after controversially pulling them off shelves for Australia Day.
The supermarket giant has admitted it disappointed its customers when it removed Australian flags from its shelves ahead of Australia Day.
Woolworths said in a statement: “Given the Australian flag is the official flag of the Australian Olympic Committee and of our team competing in Paris, a locally made handheld Australian flag … will also be available for customers.”
Former Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci at the time apologised in a letter to tens of thousands of staff for the “negative and aggressive” comments they endured in the wake of the decision.
Indigenous Australian political campaigner Warren Mundine, who was critical of the January outcome, said “common sense” has now “prevailed”.
“It was a battle they should never have gotten into in the first place,” he said.
“This day is so important to us all, common sense has prevailed.”
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said it was “terrific” Australians will celebrate their athletes by reintroducing the flag.
“Supermarkets can decide for themselves what they stock on their shelves,” he said.
“I think it’s terrific Aussies will cheer on their heroes doing our nation proud in Paris.”