Australia Day merchandise—including flags, decorations, and party supplies—have long been popular supermarket items leading up to January 26.

But this week, Woolworths decided to remove all such products from its stores nationally—joining Kmart in halting sales in response to growing debate about the suitability of this date for Australia's National Day.

The supermarket giant acknowledged the divisions in the community around Australia Day in its official statement:

'There has been a gradual decline in demand for Australia Day merchandise from our stores over recent years. At the same time, there’s been broader discussion about January 26 and what it means to different parts of the community.'

Woolworths announced they will not sell Australia Day merchandise in their stores this year. Source: Hugo Heimendinger/Pexels

‘We know many people like to use this day as a time to get together, and we offer a huge variety of products to help customers mark the day as they choose.’

‘Woolworths and BIG W celebrate the best of Australia every day, and we’re proud to support the farmers, producers, and suppliers who work with us,’ the statement read.

Moreover, Woolworths clarified that its retail teams can work on January 26 if rostered, as is the policy for all public holidays.

For many Indigenous Australians and their allies, January 26 is marked by the 1788 arrival of the British First Fleet—a day they associate with a significant loss of their land and culture.

In a 2021 Australia Talks National Survey, the majority of the respondents said that Australia Day should not be observed on that day, considering the date's profound historical implications for Indigenous nations.

With shifting cultural perspectives, major retailers are now split on selling Australia Day products: Kmart and Woolworths have stopped, while Coles confirmed it will supply 'a small range' in 2024 after customer demand.

A Coles spokesperson said: ‘We are stocking a small range of Australian-themed summer entertaining merchandise throughout January, which is popular with our customers for sporting events such as the cricket and tennis, as well as for the Australia Day weekend.’

Some social media users have expressed disappointment as they couldn't find themed items at local supermarkets.

‘I’m trying to purchase Australia Day merchandise from Woolworths and Coles. I have phoned six of my locals here on the Bayside in Brisbane and have been advised that “We don’t stock anything or much anymore as we don’t want to upset anyone”,’ a shopper from Queensland said.

‘Time to find another shop, I'm thinking,’ another wrote on social media.

Meanwhile, others have praised the retailer for their big move. One person said: ‘Great news. We don’t need cheap disposable [things] to celebrate any day.’

Another commented: ‘I agree with Woolies. The amount of commercial rubbish for these events just keeps filling bins.’

Some people have shared what they think about Woolies’ decision:

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Key Takeaways

• Woolworths Group has confirmed it will not sell Australia Day merchandise in its supermarkets and BIG W stores in 2024.
  
• The decision reflects a decline in demand and broader discussions about the significance of January 26 to different parts of the community.
  
• Kmart has already ceased selling Australia Day merchandise, while Coles plans to continue selling a limited range of Australian-themed items.
  
• The decision garnered mixed reactions from social media users. While some Aussies are outraged about the lack of merchandise, some have pointed out that it’s unnecessary to celebrate the holiday.
  

What’s your take on this, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[Subduedshilo]

What I'm going to say I don't care if I please or offend.

I think it's about time we come together as a nation , it's time to forget the constant I'm sorry .. it wasn't our generation or previous generation or previous to that generation

Alot of the English and Irish who came to Australia with the first fleet came as convicts, forced here and seperate from their families including children and alot of these were convicted for stealing as little as a loaf of bread. They were not only imprisoned for their crime , they were sent thousands of km away from family with a very unlikelihood of ever seeing their family again. I think their families also need to told sorry.

It's time we moved forward and become one. No more sorrys, just equality and one.

I think we should have an Australia day celebration but to celebrate our beautiful country, that is today not yesterday.

I also think most of the merchandise that is sold for Australia day is rubbish. Maybe items like flags and caps should be given away

Well said. So many people forget that it wasn’t just the aboriginals that suffered. Innocent people were torn away from their homes, families and country just for trying to survive. May I add that where would the aboriginals be now if Australia had not been colonised. Could they forgo all the perks they now have such as cars, TVs, food they don’t have to gather themselves. We all lost and gained with colonisation so that is really what we should be celebrating.
Not buying cheap crape that is not even Australian made.
As for Woolworths, they have made a stance against the 26th. More fool them. As someone else said, they need to keep their nose out of politics. I haven’t shopped there much anyway as they over price everything so I won’t miss them at all

 

[Littleboy8]

Well said. So many people forget that it wasn’t just the aboriginals that suffered. Innocent people were torn away from their homes, families and country just for trying to survive. May I add that where would the aboriginals be now if Australia had not been colonised. Could they forgo all the perks they now have such as cars, TVs, food they don’t have to gather themselves. We all lost and gained with colonisation so that is really what we should be celebrating.
Not buying cheap crape that is not even Australian made.
As for Woolworths, they have made a stance against the 26th. More fool them. As someone else said, they need to keep their nose out of politics. I haven’t shopped there much anyway as they over price everything so I won’t miss them at all

So your still going to shop at Kmart and big w then who also have stopped selling the merchandise.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Isn’t woollies just joining Kmart who from what I understand started not selling products first as it says in the wording in the posting.so is everyone going to boycott Kmart and big w as well as woollies.

Aldi, Kmart and Big W have jumped on the anti Australian bandwagon. Will we boycott garbage like Halloween too! Knowing the hypocrites of this world....I hear a resounding NO! Think of the kids! No Halloween! What shall we do? Kiddies will be deprived of fun!

And people are whinging about Australia Day merchandise being made in China. Where do they think Halloween crap is made? Same landfill....different day.

 

[Knell]

I think the sentiment of ‘Sorry’ is understandable, the same way as Jews want acknowledgment and punishment ongoing for the Holocaust. Just as many wanted from Japan, just as Victims of Crime want from their offenders (?!). It is an important human right for healing for all humans. “The best apology to the victims of any atrocity is to not forget them and their story”. So if some want to remember and excercise respect and sensitivity to those who feel the loss of lives simply defending their own land and people - what is wrong with that? Enjoy Australia Day in anyway that you want. I just see it as a public holiday...no hats and flags for me - not because of any stance...just like Christmas or Easter

 

[Suzanne rose]

I think the sentiment of ‘Sorry’ is understandable, the same way as Jews want acknowledgment and punishment ongoing for the Holocaust. Just as many wanted from Japan, just as Victims of Crime want from their offenders (?!). It is an important human right for healing for all humans. “The best apology to the victims of any atrocity is to not forget them and their story”. So if some want to remember and excercise respect and sensitivity to those who feel the loss of lives simply defending their own land and people - what is wrong with that? Enjoy Australia Day in anyway that you want. I just see it as a public holiday...no hats and flags for me - not because of any stance...just like Christmas or Easter

I think celebrate Australia day, giving thanks that we live in the country we do.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I think the sentiment of ‘Sorry’ is understandable, the same way as Jews want acknowledgment and punishment ongoing for the Holocaust. Just as many wanted from Japan, just as Victims of Crime want from their offenders (?!). It is an important human right for healing for all humans. “The best apology to the victims of any atrocity is to not forget them and their story”. So if some want to remember and excercise respect and sensitivity to those who feel the loss of lives simply defending their own land and people - what is wrong with that? Enjoy Australia Day in anyway that you want. I just see it as a public holiday...no hats and flags for me - not because of any stance...just like Christmas or Easter

I don't wear hats or caps of any sort on my head. Only a motorcycle helmet not because it's the law. I don't want my head any more damaged....

 

[Knell]

I have also said that if everyone left Australia and put it back to how it was the Aboriginals wouldn't be happy.

People were hurt on both sides and its time to be one and move on. While we keep remembering, some say it helps to heal but I feel it adds fuel to the fire and sometimes other things get added.

I guess, just like religious beliefs - bury head in sand works miracles, apparently.

 

[Knell]

I don't think religion should be in shops and I live in a high Moslem area which in part is like you are in a Moslem country yet when a Christian lady would sing and give out Christian pamphlets the Moslem people chased her out

Is one more right or wrong than the other? All crazy as bat*hit!

 

[Knell]

I have also said that if everyone left Australia and put it back to how it was the Aboriginals wouldn't be happy.

People were hurt on both sides and its time to be one and move on. While we keep remembering, some say it helps to heal but I feel it adds fuel to the fire and sometimes other things get added.

All seeing, All hearing?

 

[Knell]

I think if you live in areas where it is a high Islamic area you would be a little islamaophobic . Problem is they only respect other Moslems, very few give respect to other religions including no religion.
I know many Moslem people and the intentions of that faith is to take over

Oh! Invasion? Totally unacceptable!

 

[Veggiepatch]

I guess, just like religious beliefs - bury head in sand works miracles, apparently.

Would that be Sahara sand by any chance....

 

[Clancieblue]

Obviously I'm not talking about refrigerated wares, even I wouldn't do that, I'm just talking about shelf goods?

I get it, but it's not the staff's fault 'they just work there.

 

[Knell]

Would that be Sahara sand by any chance....

any god made sand

 

[Littleboy8]

Good bye woolworths (lower case w on purpose). I will not set foot in their store ever again.

Where ya gonna shop now aldi’s Pulled the plug on the goods. looks like you’ll be going hungry then.

 

[Vinylted]

The survey saying the majority of people dont want aust day celebrated on the 26th january is wrong it is a scewed survey if that date is moved it would make no difference a small percentage of radicals in this country want to get rid of australià day

The 26th is open to conjecture anyway, it wouldn't matter what date you selected you'd have the lunatic woke fringe objecting. They have no pride of the country they live in!

 

[Graham12]

Woolworths actions are ballistic in on line news. A big Bud Lite moment coming.