Coles makes a shocking Australia Day move, while ALDI follows Woolworths’ suit
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In the wake of a controversial decision by Woolworths to remove Australia Day merchandise from its shelves, Coles and ALDI have made a surprising announcement that has left many Australians talking.
Supermarket giant Coles revealed that it will continue to stock a variety of Australia Day-themed products—despite the debate surrounding the significance of the January 26 date.
Earlier this week, Woolworths revealed that it would not be selling any additional Australia Day-themed merchandise in its supermarkets or BIG W stores this year.
The retail behemoth cited a 'gradual decline' in demand for these products over recent years, attributing this to the 'broader discussion' about the meaning of the January 26 date to different segments of the Australian community.
The decision by Woolworths has sparked a fierce backlash.
However, other consumers have commended the move, viewing it as a sensitive response to the ongoing debate about the appropriateness of celebrating Australia Day on a date that many Indigenous Australians refer to as ‘Invasion Day’.
In contrast, Coles has chosen to continue offering Australia Day merchandise, stating that these items remain popular with customers for various summer events, including cricket and tennis, as well as the Australia Day weekend.
'We are stocking a small range of Australian-themed summer entertaining merchandise throughout January,' a spokesperson for Coles said.
The January 26 date marks the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney, a historical event that is viewed by many Indigenous Australians as the beginning of a period of oppression and violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This perspective has led to a growing movement to change the date of Australia Day to one that is not associated with such traumatic historical events.
However, this proposal has been met with resistance from those who believe that Australia Day should continue to be celebrated on January 26.
Meanwhile, ALDI has announced that it will not be selling Australia Day merchandise in the lead-up to the national holiday this year.
In previous years, ALDI's Australia Day Special Buys catalogue offered a variety of themed goods, including Australian flag tablecloths, capes, beer cozies, and even a controversial T-shirt in 2014 that read: 'Australia est. 1788'.
However, this year, the supermarket has confirmed that it will not be hosting a similar event.
Some shoppers have expressed their outrage, labelling the move as 'unAustralian' and suggesting that Australians should take their business elsewhere.
'ALDI and Woolies [are] in the same boat. Aussies should shop elsewhere,' one said.
'There will be nowhere left to shop soon,' another said in jest.
Others, however, have praised the supermarkets for their stance.
'Well done to Woolies and ALDI for listening to the people. Change the date, and the problem is fixed,' one said.
'Sales of Australia Day merchandise have been dropping dramatically over the years, so they’re smart enough not to make a loss. Shareholders will be happy,' another replied.
The decision by ALDI and Woolworths left Coles as the only one of Australia's three largest supermarket chains to stock Australia Day merchandise this year, albeit in a 'small' batch.
The controversy has even reached political circles, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton criticising Woolworths' decision and calling for a public boycott of the chain.
'I think it’s up to customers whether they want to buy the product or not…I think people should boycott Woolworths,' he said.
'I think until we get some common sense out of a company like Woolworths, I don’t think they should be supported by the public.'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, on the other hand, emphasised the importance of supermarkets doing right by their customers and encouraged Australians to 'buy some of that wonderful Australian lamb’.
'It’s a day on which we can give respect to First Nations people and acknowledge that it’s a difficult day for them, but it’s also a day on which we can reflect on what it means to be an Australian and how we can make the greatest country on Earth even better in the future.'
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Supermarket giant Coles revealed that it will continue to stock a variety of Australia Day-themed products—despite the debate surrounding the significance of the January 26 date.
Earlier this week, Woolworths revealed that it would not be selling any additional Australia Day-themed merchandise in its supermarkets or BIG W stores this year.
The retail behemoth cited a 'gradual decline' in demand for these products over recent years, attributing this to the 'broader discussion' about the meaning of the January 26 date to different segments of the Australian community.
Coles and ALDI have made surprising announcements ahead of Australia Day. Image source: Facebook/Australia Day.
The decision by Woolworths has sparked a fierce backlash.
However, other consumers have commended the move, viewing it as a sensitive response to the ongoing debate about the appropriateness of celebrating Australia Day on a date that many Indigenous Australians refer to as ‘Invasion Day’.
In contrast, Coles has chosen to continue offering Australia Day merchandise, stating that these items remain popular with customers for various summer events, including cricket and tennis, as well as the Australia Day weekend.
'We are stocking a small range of Australian-themed summer entertaining merchandise throughout January,' a spokesperson for Coles said.
The January 26 date marks the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney, a historical event that is viewed by many Indigenous Australians as the beginning of a period of oppression and violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This perspective has led to a growing movement to change the date of Australia Day to one that is not associated with such traumatic historical events.
However, this proposal has been met with resistance from those who believe that Australia Day should continue to be celebrated on January 26.
Meanwhile, ALDI has announced that it will not be selling Australia Day merchandise in the lead-up to the national holiday this year.
In previous years, ALDI's Australia Day Special Buys catalogue offered a variety of themed goods, including Australian flag tablecloths, capes, beer cozies, and even a controversial T-shirt in 2014 that read: 'Australia est. 1788'.
However, this year, the supermarket has confirmed that it will not be hosting a similar event.
Some shoppers have expressed their outrage, labelling the move as 'unAustralian' and suggesting that Australians should take their business elsewhere.
'ALDI and Woolies [are] in the same boat. Aussies should shop elsewhere,' one said.
'There will be nowhere left to shop soon,' another said in jest.
Others, however, have praised the supermarkets for their stance.
'Well done to Woolies and ALDI for listening to the people. Change the date, and the problem is fixed,' one said.
'Sales of Australia Day merchandise have been dropping dramatically over the years, so they’re smart enough not to make a loss. Shareholders will be happy,' another replied.
The decision by ALDI and Woolworths left Coles as the only one of Australia's three largest supermarket chains to stock Australia Day merchandise this year, albeit in a 'small' batch.
The controversy has even reached political circles, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton criticising Woolworths' decision and calling for a public boycott of the chain.
'I think it’s up to customers whether they want to buy the product or not…I think people should boycott Woolworths,' he said.
'I think until we get some common sense out of a company like Woolworths, I don’t think they should be supported by the public.'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, on the other hand, emphasised the importance of supermarkets doing right by their customers and encouraged Australians to 'buy some of that wonderful Australian lamb’.
'It’s a day on which we can give respect to First Nations people and acknowledge that it’s a difficult day for them, but it’s also a day on which we can reflect on what it means to be an Australian and how we can make the greatest country on Earth even better in the future.'
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