A supermarket boss has branded Woolworths ‘Wokeworths’ for dumping merchandise on Australia Day ahead of Friday’s bank holiday.
John-Paul Drake, who runs 66 Drakes supermarkets in South Australia and Queensland, announced he will be selling a range of Australia Day products this week.
Mr Drake added that until the date was changed, he and his family would continue to celebrate Australia Day on January 26.
“Whether you choose to celebrate Australia Day or not is entirely up to you,” he said.
‘As a retailer it is my responsibility to let my customers choose whether a product is suitable for them.
‘The fact that you are lactose intolerant means that I am not allowed to sell dairy products in the store?
“How would you feel if I told you that I don’t like chocolate and that we wouldn’t sell it anymore?”
John-Paul Drake, the director of family-owned Drakes Supermarkets, has criticized Woolworths after the chain announced it would no longer sell Australia Day products
The supermarket boss said he would continue to celebrate Australia Day until the date was changed
The supermarket boss said he expected some setbacks.
“Some of you may choose to boycott our stores – and I respect your right to choose where you spend your money,” he wrote.
“I do ask that you respect my team when you enter our stores.
“They don’t deserve to be abused by the police because of my values.”
Australians were divided over Drake’s argument.
‘I agree with you. It’s about choice. Supermarkets should not dictate what we can and cannot buy,” one person wrote.
‘Only the people who hate Australia are asking for the date to be changed. Why should we trust them?’ another commented.
“I’m not saying I agree or disagree with boycotting, but as a white man in the dominant culture your holidays and your family are always represented,” a third user wrote.
“Your post is tone deaf and ignorant.”
A fourth said: ‘If a store doesn’t sell patriotic trash for a holiday that has only been established since 1995, just go to a store that does. Actually very simple.’
Drakes’ latest catalog has an entire page dedicated to Australia Day ‘ingredients’ such as bunting, napkins and discounted celebratory cakes.
Drakes’ latest catalog features an entire page dedicated to Australia Day ‘ingredients’ such as bunting, napkins and discounted celebratory cakes (owner John-Paul Drake is pictured)
Romeo’s Retail Group also shared an image of some of the products it would be selling online in the lead up to Australia Day.
A man holding two Australia Day flags and wearing a straw hat with the word ‘Australia’ on it was posted on Romeo’s Facebook page.
Coles has confirmed it will continue to stock a range of Australian-themed merchandise in the run-up to the holiday.
However, customers have noticed that many of the ‘Australian themed summer items’ are in small displays at the back of the stores.
However, Aldi does not celebrate the holiday.
Since the announcement, Woolworths stores (pictured) have been targeted by vandals
The debate over Australia Day and its celebration on January 26, the day in 1788 when the British flag was first raised in Sydney Cove following the arrival of the First Fleet, has grown in recent decades.
Many Indigenous Australians consider and call the date ‘Invasion Day’ and a day of mourning.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was quick to miss the point, demanding shoppers boycott Woolworths over the decision.
The politician attacked the supermarket boss for interfering in social issues and endorsing Anthony Albanese’s ‘woke agenda’.
On Friday, Mr Dutton said he would not personally pick up Australian-themed thongs from Coles, but claimed Woolworths should still sell the products.
Since then, a number of Woolworths stores have been targeted by vandals.
