Petstock announces it is boycotting Australia Day – weeks after Woolworths acquired a 55 per cent stake in the company
Petstock will join a growing number of retailers in boycotting Australia Day – weeks after Woolworths acquired a 55 per cent stake in the company.
The company, which runs nearly 300 pet stores across Australia, sent a memo to employees on Monday saying it would not celebrate the holiday.
It comes after Woolworths – which last week said it would not stock January 26-themed merchandise – struck a half-billion-dollar deal with Petstock.
In a statement, Petstock said: ‘At the Petstock Group we remain committed to being an inclusive organisation. It is at the core of our People, Pets, Planet mantra that we show respect and ensure that everyone who comes through our physical or digital doors feels like they belong.
‘For this reason we will not be dressing up in our stores on Australia Day.
“As you connect with your team, friends and family this January, show respect and care for each other, and take a moment to listen, understand and cherish what it means to be Australian.”
2GB’s Ray Hadley said employees had been warned about ‘in-store theatre’ in the run-up to the holidays, including decorating or decorating stores.
Petstock (pictured) owns almost 300 pet stores across Australia
Employees were told via a memo on Monday that the company would not recognize Australia Day
The radio host denounced the move on Tuesday, telling listeners that it is not the role of a pet store to make political statements.
He rejected Petstocks’ claim that the memo to staff had merely been ‘advice’.
“You make people do what you want them to do,” he said.
Australians were quick to share their thoughts on social media, with many rushing to the comments section of Petstock’s most recent Facebook post.
“The Petstock group is non-Australian and run by radical left-wing fools. Management should be fired immediately,” one person wrote.
“Very disappointing to hear that you are disrespecting Australians and our culture and bowing to the minority by refusing to recognize Australia Day,” said another.
“I think Petstock should reconsider this decision.”
Daily Mail Australia requested further comment from Petstock.
It comes after several Australian companies announced they will not recognize Australia Day.
Major companies allowing staff to swap the holiday for another working day include Qantas, Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, Deloitte, KPMG and PwC.
“Based on experience, we expect that the vast majority of our people will take advantage of the Australia Day public holiday,” a Deloitte spokesperson said. The Australian.
‘If employees have to work on Australia Day due to customer commitments, they are entitled to an extra day off of their choice.’
Woolworths, Target, Kmart and Bunnings will let staff choose whether they work, while hours for office staff at Woolworths and Bunnings will remain unchanged.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia’s CEO has failed to answer why the sporting body will not commemorate Australia Day later this week.
Ray Hadley (pictured) said it was not the role of pet stores to make ‘political statements’
A growing number of Australian businesses will not recognize Australia Day on Friday
Nick Hockley clashed with 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham on Tuesday in the wake of the board’s controversial decision not to mention the national holiday during the second Test at the Gabba in Brisbane.
The clumsy interview got off to a fiery start when English expat Hockley initially tried to avoid using the words ‘Australia Day’.
‘What day is Friday?’ Fordham asked.
Hockey responded, “Well, Friday is a great national holiday for everyone.”
His answer prompted Fordham to ask the question again.
‘Friday is January 26th. It’s the Australia Day bank holiday weekend,” Hockley finally replied.
The radio host asked why it was so difficult to pronounce Australia Day.
‘If I may just clarify a few things. The first is that we have made no announcements this year and our approach on Friday is completely consistent with what it has been for the last four or five years,” Hockley explained.
“We appreciate that many Australians celebrate Australia Day and love watching the cricket on that day.”