For one Australian supermarket, nudity is not OK on its shelves.

Supermarket giant Coles has pulled copies of the January/February edition Harper's Bazaar, which features Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr nude on its cover.

“In response to feedback from our customers, many of whom shop with their children, we removed the magazine from sale earlier this week," Coles said in an emailed statement to Mashable Australia. The company did not confirm how many complaints it received.

The cover image was reportedly deemed "inappropriate" by Coles executives, with thousands of copies withdrawn immediately from stores around Australia. "We didn't think the cover was appropriate for our stores so the decision was made," a Coles spokesman told Fairfax Media.

Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Kellie Hush told the publication she was disappointed regarding the decision by Coles and their refusal to "recognise the artistic integrity in this image." Earlier in the week, she said the image celebrated femininity.

"We're now living in an era of Victoria Secret Angels, stolen nude photos and attempts to break the internet with reality stars in provocative poses," Hush said. "Harper's Bazaar has long celebrated the daring woman — someone with vision, commitment, style - and a total lack of fear. Miranda may be naked but she's a trailblazer and this cover celebrates this."

Kerr, speaking of the actual photo shoot, revealed that she wasn't actually naked on set. "I do have a G-string on and that I am covered up with a robe in between shots, and that nothing is really showing apart from my skin,” Kerr told Harper's Bazaar.

Harper's Bazaar has been contacted for comment.

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