Aldi and Woolworths Both Decide to Stop Selling Australia Day Merchandise

All major retailers, including Aldi and Woolworths, have decided not to sell Australia Day themed items before January 26th, which is the national holiday marking the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. This decision aligns with the evolving perspectives on Australia Day and reflects a broader industry trend.

Despite having stocked such items in previous years, both Aldi and Woolworths have opted not to sell themed merchandise like thongs before this year’s national holiday. This decision has been met with opposition, with Peter Dutton encouraging shoppers to boycott Woolworths over its choice not to sell themed merchandise in over a thousand stores and more than 150 Big Ws nationwide.

Dutton urged people to turn to IGA or Coles for their shopping needs, and requested that Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci reverse the decision.

The government has criticized Dutton for initiating a culture war, and opposition leader Murray Watt stated that Dutton is out of touch with the concerns of regular Australians. In response, Federal Labor has pledged to lower grocery prices and appointed former Labor Minister Craig Emerson to lead a review of the current code of conduct for the food and grocery industry.

Aldi’s decision not to sell extra Australia-themed items comes as part of a broader discussion about January 26 and its varying meanings across the community. Last year, Woolworths allowed office teams to not work on the day, but clarified that retail teams can choose to work on the day if scheduled, following the policy for all public holidays, while other teams in support offices will observe the public holiday.

Woolworths, Coles Prioritize Diverse Food Offerings for Australia Day

A Woolworths Group spokesperson stated that their main focus is providing customers with diverse food and produce for all occasions, including Australia Day, and that there has been a gradual decline in demand for themed merchandise from stores over recent years.

Coles, on the other hand, is stocking a limited range of Australian-themed summer merchandise throughout January, which is popular with their customers for sporting events.

This shift reflects broader industry trends as major retailers respond to the evolving perspectives on Australia Day and the controversy surrounding the national date.



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