A statue of an Australian soldier erected in a Coles store ahead of Anzac Day has sparked an intensely patriotic response from many on social media, while others claim it cheapens the day by turning it into a ‘sales tactic’.
The veteran’s statue was placed prominently in the store in Annandale, a suburb of Townsville in north Queensland.
The statue was made by a store employee as a tribute to her father, who was a war veteran.
The statue was placed on a small table and decorated around the base with red poppies.
The statue was created by a Coles employee who works in the store as a tribute to her father, who was a war veteran
A flag reading ‘Lest We Forget’ was draped across the front of the display of traditional Anzac biscuits.
The supermarket is located opposite Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, the largest army base in Australia.
‘Coles Annandale Townsville. Huge exhibition as soon as you walk in, brilliant,” wrote local Carol Booking, who shared a photo of the exhibition.
Hundreds of shoppers added comments praising the store for celebrating Anzac Day on April 25.
‘Well done, showing respect for the fallen and for their sacrifices! Thank you!’ said one customer.
“Lest we forget, this is a beautiful display,” another shopper wrote.
“Great, Coles.”
Others, however, thought the exhibition aimed to turn a holy day into a marketing opportunity.
‘Why does everyone want to commercialize Anzac Day?’ one person said.
Hundreds of shoppers praised the supermarket giant for putting up the display ahead of Anzac Day commemorations (pictured)
“If it was actually for ANZAC DAY it would be a display and nothing else,” another user wrote.
But other shoppers pushed back on that objection.
‘How is it commercialized? In memory of men and women who gave for their country,” said one customer.
A Coles spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia they will be selling Anzac biscuit tins as part of their ongoing partnerships with veterans organisations, including the RSL, to support soldiers and the armed forces.
“Coles is proud to continue its long-standing community partnership with Bravery Trust and assist team members who have served or are serving in the Australian Defense Force or Reserves,” the spokeswoman said.
“Our bakers take the opportunity for Bravery Trust every year, making almost 500,000 Anzac biscuits in the week leading up to Anzac Day. It’s a cause that our bakers are keen to get behind and we hope our customers can support it too by purchasing a 12-pack of Coles Bakery Anzac biscuit on or before Anzac Day.”
The supermarket giant will also donate 40p from the sale of each 12-pack of Anzac Day biscuits and biscuits sold in-store and online.