‘Show respect’: Petstock joins Australia Day boycott

Another major retailer has announced that it won’t be recognising Australia Day, declaring that it is an “inclusive organisation”.

Woolworths-owned pet retailer Petstock says it won’t be recognising Australia Day in its stores this Friday, joining its parent company as well as Aldi, Tennis Australia and Cricket Australia in a growing corporate boycott of the national holiday.

Petstock announced the decision in a memo to staff, The Daily Telegraph first reported on Tuesday.

Woolworths acquired 55 per cent of Petstock Group this month.

“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,” the statement said.

“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.”

Petstock will not recognise Australia Day on Friday. Picture: Supplied

Petstock confirmed the decision in a similar statement to news.com.au, while asking customers to show “respect for our team members”.

“Australia Day, 26 January, means different things to each of us depending on who we are, where we come from, and how we came to be Australian,” a spokeswoman said.

“On 26 January, we won’t be dressing up our stores, but encourage our team members to celebrate respectfully, with consideration to all our team members and customers from all nations. Petstock Group will not be commenting further on the matter, and ask for respect for our team members as they work in our stores in the coming days.”

It comes after Woolworths last week confirmed it would no longer be selling Australia Day merchandise, citing a “gradual decline” in sales, with Big W and Aldi following suit.

Coles said it would continue to stock a range of Australia Day-themed merchandise.

Petstock and Qantas announce a points partnership. Picture: Supplied

Opposition leader Peter Dutton responded to Woolworths’ decision by calling for a boycott of the supermarket, accusing the company of peddling “woke agendas”.

Sporting codes have also jumped on the Australia Day boycott, with Cricket Australia confirming it would not use the term “Australia Day” when Australia plays the West Indies in Brisbane on Friday.

And Tennis Australia will not celebrate Australia Day at the Australian Open, after also snubbing the occasion in 2023 as a result of “differing views” about celebrating the public holiday.

Sky News host Steve Price slammed the decision.

“This started last year and ended Australia Day celebrations, they used to feature fireworks, the playing of the national anthem and special musical events to mark the day at the tennis,” Price said on Friday.

“So we have First Nations day, no drama from me about that, then the organisers have set aside a day for Australian Open Pride Day, an Australian Open All Abilities Day and an Australian Open Glam Slam for the LGBTI+ folk that will run across January 26 to 28. You can’t make this stuff up.”

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