Australians are calling for the CEO of Woolworths to resign after a memo to staff revealed new details about the supermarket giant’s stance on Australia Day.
Woolworths shocked customers earlier this month when it announced it would not stock merchandise on January 26 due to declining demand and sensitivities surrounding the day.
The decision sparked public outrage, with staff receiving a barrage of negative and hurtful comments and abuse from customers online, and even calls for a boycott from opposition leader Peter Dutton.
In a leaked memo to staff revealed by Daily Mail Australia yesterday, South African-born Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci told staff he was “deeply sorry” they had to endure the backlash.
“I would like to personally apologize to all of you for the way our merchandising decision was received – and how it resulted in hurtful and inappropriate responses directed at you, our team members,” Mr. Banducci wrote.
However, his apology backfired on many Aussies, who claimed Banducci put the safety of his staff at risk after the supermarket giant took a stand on Australia Day.
‘He must resign, he has endangered his staff. He has failed in his duty of care to his staff,” one person wrote.
In the leaked memo, Mr Banducci explained that unlike Australia Day, Woolworths puts up banners for other holidays such as Chinese New Year and Diwali because these are “centered around connection over food”.
The comment was the final straw for many Aussies, with hundreds of people pointing out that our national holidays revolve around food – citing the classic Australia Day BBQ.
‘He thinks Australia Day isn’t also about food? How about throwing shrimp on the barbecue and our obsession with lamb? Time for an Australian Woolworths CEO,” said one angry customer.
Australians are calling on Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci (pictured) to resign after the grocer decided it would not stock Australia Day merchandise
“He needs to represent Australia or he will lose his job,” wrote another.
‘I eat lamb, sausages, steak, salads, cheese and bikkies, sandwiches, Pavlova and lamingtons on Australia Day! Isn’t that food?,” said a third.
“I am deeply offended that the CEO, a South African, can decide what he thinks is appropriate for OUR Australia Day! How dare he,” a fourth added.
Social commentator Prue MacSween told Daily Mail Australia that Banducci should ‘forget the woke commentary’.
“This guy is clearly out of step with his customers and most Australians and should resign,” she said.
“As CEO, he has failed in his duty as a leader and has taken Woolworths in the wrong direction.
“Aussies have settled at the Woolworths checkout and it’s all because of his poor performance and misguided judgement.”
Woolworths announced earlier this month that it would not be selling Australia Day merchandise, a decision that was met with a huge backlash
Ms MacSween believes Mr Banducci should not forget that, when it comes down to it, he is a retailer.
“It’s not his job to pontificate and tell Australians how to act and how to think. “All he has to do is supply goods, preferably Australian ones, at the best price and quality,” she said.
‘The problem is that Woolworths and Coles have been given such a huge monopoly.
‘As a result of this power, they have adopted an air of superiority, believing that they can influence not only what we eat and use in our homes, but also how we should think and act.’
Mr Banducci has personally received more than 3,000 emails from members of the public since Woolworths announced it would not stock Australia Day merchandise.
Despite the backlash, he said there was “not really” any sign of a boycott of Woolworths.
Hundreds of Australians have pledged to boycott Woolworths (pictured) while shopping for their Australia Day barbecues
Other retailers including Aldi and Kmart have also revealed they will not stock Australia Day merchandise, but rival supermarket chain Coles will continue to sell the items.
In the leaked email to staff, Mr Banducci said Woolworths had worked with the Australia Day Council “to seek guidance on the evolved meaning of Australia Day”.
‘We believe in every Australian’s right to celebrate the day in a way that is meaningful to them, and we remain committed to looking after all our customers and our team and ensuring they feel safe and included when they walk through our doors,” he says. said.
Woolworths has been contacted for comment.