Woolworths backflips on woke Australia Day merchandise ban – but there is still only one item you’ll be able to buy in store

Supermarket giant Woolworths is celebrating Australia Day again and stocking up on special festive items ahead of January 26 after being accused of scrapping the national celebration last year.

The retailer announced that all of its Woolworths and Big W stores would offer a special ‘Perfect for Australia Day’ section this month.

While the offering would be primarily focused on food, customers would also have the chance to pick up an Australian-made Australian or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag while shopping.

Those who would like additional branded items can find a further selection, including flags, t-shirts, bucket hats, sunglasses and temporary tattoos, on Woolworths’ selection of marketplace sellers, My Deal, BIG W market and daily market.

The turnaround comes after the retailer was criticized last January shocked customers by announcing it would not stock Australia Day merchandise.

A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that last year’s decision was prompted by “a decline in demand in our stores”, but that the company’s outlets would do so. this time ‘Celebrating Australia Day as a team and with our customers’.

“We listened and realized that many customers and teams wanted us to do more to help them celebrate this day,” the spokesperson said.

‘With us [Woolworths] 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 that are perfect for family and friends gathering over the Australia Day long weekend.

A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that last year’s decision to stop selling merchandise on Australia Day was caused by “a decrease in demand in our stores”.

“Customers can expect to see ‘Perfect for Australia Day’ sections in our supermarkets and BIG W in the lead up to the day.”

“Our store team members are also welcome to celebrate the day in store.”

“We respect everyone’s choices in how they spend their day.”

The spokesperson added that individual team members could also celebrate the day in-store.

“Our position is aligned with the theme of the National Australia Day Council day – reflect, respect and celebrate,” they said.

The retailer’s controversial decision to remove Australia Day merchandise from its shelves last year ultimately proved deeply divisive.

The measure sparked protests from customers, with opposition leader Peter Dutton even calling for a boycott of Woolworths stores.

“I think the customers should have the final say here… and that’s why I think people should take their business elsewhere,” Mr Dutton said at the time.

Last year’s Australia Day debacle ultimately led to the resignation of then Woolworths group CEO Brad Banducci (pictured)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also had his say, saying his primary focus was on “ensuring supermarkets do the right thing by their customers at the checkout.”

“It’s a day where we can show respect to First Nations people and recognize that it’s a difficult day for them,” he said.

“But it’s also a day when we can think about what it means to be Australian and how we can make the greatest country in the world even better in the future.

“What I would say to Australians is that Australia Day is a day to buy Australian, buy some of that delicious lamb.”

Woolworths staff reported receiving a barrage of negative reactions and online comments and abuse from customers in the wake of last year’s decision.

The Australia Day debacle ultimately led to the resignation of Brad Banducci, then CEO of the Woolworths group.