Supermarket giant Woolworths has backflipped on its decision to not sell Invasion Day (also known as Australia Day for those who froth colonisation) merch, announcing that it’ll be selling selected items in its stores in 2025.
Woolworths really said ‘new year, new me’, in the worst way possible.
On Wednesday, the day in which we welcomed the big beauty that is 2025, Woolies announced that shoppers can expect to feast their eyes on a “perfect for Australia Day” range in its supermarkets and BIG W stores this year.
“We will be celebrating Australia Day as a team, and with our customers,” a spokesperson for the supermarket giant told 9News.
Further in their statement, the Woolies spokesperson acknowledged that this decision is a complete backflip on its choice to stop selling Australia Day merch in 2024, saying the company “listened and recognised that many customers and teams wanted us to do more to help them celebrate the day”.
“In our supermarkets, we will do this through the lens of great Australian food that is perfect for the day, while BIG W will also showcase products perfect for family and friends coming together over the Australia Day long weekend,” they continued.
According to 9News, Aussie-made flags will be available in stores, while its online shops will feature a larger range of “Australia Day” merch.
“Our store team members are also welcome to celebrate the day in-store. We respect everyone’s choices in how they choose to spend the day,” the spokesperson said.
“Our position is aligned with the theme for the day from the National Australia Day Council – reflect, respect and celebrate.”
The National Australia Day Council is a not-for-profit government-owned company that claims it “helps facilitate the celebration of Australia Day and being Australian”. It is also responsible for the Australian of the Year Awards.
In 2024, Woolworths announced that it was ditching the Invasion Day items, citing that “there has been a gradual decline in demand for Australia Day merchandise from our stores over recent years”.
The decision absolutely sent some folks into a tizzy, especially opposition leader Peter Dutton who called for a boycott against the supermarket giant.
Woolies’ decision to bring back Invasion Day items comes fresh off Australian Venue Co’s decision to nix Invasion Day celebrations from its venues, which caused a major stir online.
In December 2024 — months after Woolies made its decision to nix Invasion Day merch — more than 200+ pubs shared it wouldn’t be hosting January 26 festivities after Australian Venue Co, its owner, said it wouldn’t be participating in any celebrations.
However, after a bunch of online cries from those who condone colonisation, the company apologised but didn’t backflip on its decision.
There have been urgent calls for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to change the date or to cancel it altogether as it signifies the beginning of British colonialism in Australia.
However, Albanese has previously rejected calls to shift the date.
Aldi and Kmart — who both opted out of selling Invasion Day items — haven’t shared that they will be bringing back January 26 items.
However, Coles has said it will be continuing “to stock a range of summer entertaining merchandise throughout January”.
“The range will offer a variety of items for customers looking to entertain with BBQs, parties, picnics or for those attending sporting events like the cricket and tennis, as well as for the Australia Day weekend,” a spokesperson for Coles said.
Image source: iStock
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