The lead up to Australia Day will look different in supermarkets this year with Coles and Woolworths confirming they'll no longer be stocking merchandise in relation to Australia Day.
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00:00 The Australia Day has been taking a bit of a different shape in the last few years.
00:05 Celebrations for the day seem to be fading out in certain pockets of society.
00:11 Woolworths have said that they will no longer be stocking extra merchandise in any of their
00:15 stores right across the country.
00:17 Woolworths spokesperson have said that while Australian flags are sold all year round in
00:22 Big W stores, it's the extra merchandise that won't be sold in stores leading up to January
00:29 26.
00:30 They added that there has been a gradual decline in the demand for Australia Day themed merchandise
00:36 over the last few years.
00:38 They also recognised that there's been a broader discussion around January 26 and what it means
00:43 to different people in the community.
00:47 Coles have said that they will be stocking a small range of Australian merchandise throughout
00:51 January.
00:52 They said it is popular with their customers for sporting events like tennis or cricket.
00:58 This isn't the first time we've seen a major retailer boycott Australian themed merchandise.
01:04 Kmart last year announced that they wouldn't be selling any Australia Day merchandise leading
01:10 up to January 26.
01:12 That decision caused quite a bit of controversy and backlash.
01:15 It's going to be interesting to see whether the same reaction is felt here with Coles
01:20 and Woolworths deciding to pull their Australia Day merchandise.
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