‘No dressing up’: Petstock joins Australia Day ‘boycott’

Leading pet company Petstock, whose majority stakeholder is Woolworths, has issued a memorandum to staff saying they won’t be recognising Australia Day across stores on Friday.

Petstock has issued a memorandum to staff saying they won’t be recognising Australia Day across stores this Friday.

They join a growing list of organisations including Woolworths, Aldi, Tennis Australia and Cricket Australia who have opted to not celebrate or recognise the national day.

Woolworths acquired a 55 per cent stake in Petstock – the country’s second-largest specialty pet retailer - in December last year.

Petstock said in a statement that the move promotes more inclusivity.

Petstock have issued a memorandum to staff saying they won’t be recognising Australia Day across stores this Friday.

“At the Petstock Group, we remain committed to being an inclusive organisation. It is at the heart of our mantra of People, Pets, Planet, that we show respect and make sure everyone who comes through our physical or digital doors feel like they belong,” a Petstock statement read.

“It is for this reason that we won’t be dressing up on Australia Day in our stores.

“As you connect with your team, friends and family over January, please show respect and take care of each other, and take a moment to listen, understand and cherish what it means to be Australian.”

Broadcaster Ray Hadley said today his staff at 2GB were made aware of the Petstock memo and had contacted Woolworths to be told the situation had been “misinterpreted” and that Woolworths are only “giving advice to people” and “not making them do something.”

“Pigs might fly or as I would say more cautiously, pigs arse,” Hadley responded on 2GB.

“You are making people do what you wish them to do.”

Woolworths Group CEO and Mangaing Director Brad Banducci.

“I might mention that Woolworths back in December, if my memory serves me correctly, obtained a 55 per cent share in the Petstock Group.

“A 55 per cent share which means they control it.”

It comes after Cricket Australia confirmed they won’t use the term “Australia Day” when Australia plays the second day of its Brisbane clash with the West Indies on Friday.

Cricket Australia’s decision came on the heels of reports that the organisers of the Australian Open tennis tournament would also not mark Australia Day and controversy around Woolworths’ decision not to stock Australia Day merchandise.