Woolworths has confirmed it will stock merchandise for Australia Day this year, seemingly backflipping on its decision to stop stocking themed merchandise last year following a “broader discussion” of January 26.
Last year, Woolworths stated its supermarkets and Big W, which it also owns, would no longer stock Australia Day merchandise in the lead-up to 26 January, with "steeply declining sales" across previous years.
While it confirmed this was a business decision, the decline in demand coincided with growing protests and supports to change the date from Indigenous communities and their allies over the date in recent years.
The decision resulted in backlash, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton calling for customers to boycott stores over the move - Woolworths itself took out full-page ad spreads stating they were not trying to “cancel Australia day”.
Now the supermarket giant has announced they will be reversing this 2024 decision and offering Australian flag-themed merchandise such as hats, sunglasses, bunting and a clip-on ribbon through its online stores.
Inside its physical stores Australian produce will be in focus, aiming at long-weekend barbecues celebrations.
At the time of writing, Woolworths Group Limited (ASX: WOW) has a stock price of A$30.49. The market capitalisation is approximately $37.246 billion.