Blunder down under: Coles flying dodgy Aussie flags in time for Australia Day
National retail mega-giant Coles has been left red-faced after flying multiple flags in a store that have the Southern Cross appearing to be ‘back-to-front’ in an embarrassing printing gaffe.
The popular Coles supermarket, centrally located in Brisbane had the large flags draped around their store before the blunder was drawn to their attention according to the Brisbane Times.
According to the Brisbane Times the embarrassing mistake was highlighted to the retail chain by a customer visiting the store who then expressed his concerns on social media.
The large flags hanging around the store have ‘botched the Southern Cross’ by inverting the five starts.
The Commonwealth Star appears in the correct position however the remain stars - Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma and Epsilon Crucis - appear inverted.
A supervisor at the Toowong supermarket told the Brisbane Times he did not realise the flag design was wrong and also did not know how long the flags had been flying.
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National Flag Associate president Allan Pidgeon commended Coles for flying the Aussie flag however made the recommendation they correct the error in time for Anzac Day.
He also said he believed the flags were manufactured overseas.
"It's great that Coles is showing pride in Australia but I encourage them to make every effort to replace the ones that aren't accurate," Mr Pidgeon said.
"It's a national symbol that must be respectfully treated.”
Another embarrassing blunder also occurred this week when Woolworths came under fire for selling Australia Day merchandise featuring a map of Australia – omitting Tasmania.
Our most southern state was excluded from the map, which featured on a cap filled with the Union Jack and Southern Cross.
Tasmanians were not impressed by the exclusion, with one woman describing it as ‘cruel’.
“We should be on the map. We’re all one country aren’t we?” a man told 7 News.
In a statement to 7 News Woolworths said: “Woolworths is aware of the issue and in the process of withdrawing the product from our supermarket shelves.”
Yahoo 7 reached out to Coles for comment.
News break - January 24
