Woolworths boss defends decision on stocking Australia Day merchandise
Woolworths has defended its controversial decision to not stock Australia Day merchandise in its stores ahead of the public holiday later this week.
Chief executive Brad Banducci told Today that a declining demand in sales of the merchandise was behind the move.
He conceded the decision was not communicated well to the public, saying "we could have done a better job explaining it".
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The front of a Woolworths supermarket. iStock
"It is a commercial decision," Banducci said.
"There are many other places you can buy Australia Day-specific merchandise. We focused on what we do best."
Woolworths isn't the only retailer that has dropped the merchandise, joining Big W and Aldi.
Coles announced it would be stocking a "small range" of Australia Day-themed products.
"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," a spokesperson said.
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Chief executive Brad Banducci told Today that a declining demand in sales in the merchandise was behind the move. Nine
It comes as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton suggested shoppers should "boycott Woolworths" over the decision.
However the Woolworths chief executive maintained the supermarket had not joined a campaign to cancel the holiday.
"We are celebrating Australia and what it means to be Australian, with the way we can celebrate it best - which is with food," Banducci said.
"We could have done a better job of explaining the decision. Clearly that's true.
"I feel the weight on myself and the impact that this is having on our team.
"They are proud, hard-working Australians, and for them to be seen as - anti-Australian or woke, is fundamentally unfair."
Multiple local councils have dropped Australia Day events as attitudes shift on holding commemorations on January 26.
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