Woolies targeted by another PR storm

Big-W_Craigieburn-CentralWoolworths’ discount department store chain Big W has become the subject of a media storm over its decision to label its festive tree range a “Grand Pine Tree” rather than a “Christmas Tree”.

Calls to boycott the business have flooded the company’s Facebook page after several news outlets reported the development as “grinch style tactics”.

“Won’t be shopping here this year, won’t call their trees Christmas trees. Too much PC for me, I’ve had enough of it,” one shopper said.

“Definitely will not be buying Christmas pressies for my grand kids at BIG W this year or ever again….HELLO K MART… [sic] got my wallet ready to empty,” another wrote.

The strong response prompted Big W to issue a statement on its Facebook page yesterday, saying that the company is looking forward to offering its Christmas range to customers later this year.

“Christmas is a great time of year for family and friends and we love celebrating this important event with our teams and customers. ​

“BIG​ ​W is proud of the Christmas ranges and offers we have planned for our customers this year across our entire store.

“The current focus on our Christmas tree packaging does not fully reflect Big W’s range of Christmas products which also include decorations, plush and gifts which are labelled on packaging with the word Christmas,” the company said.

The statement has garnered further criticism since being released, and is the second PR headache in as many days for Woolworths, after it was forced to distance itself from former boss Roger Corbett’s comments about same-sex marriage.

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