Shoppers in Melbourne’s south-east have been advised to refrain from using products purchased from a new discount retailer, Panda Mart, due to safety concerns. Consumer Affairs Victoria issued an urgent warning following the store’s recent opening in Cranbourne, indicating that many items could pose risks.
Panda Mart provides a wide array of products, ranging from homewares to sports equipment and beauty items. However, consumer inspectors have seized thousands of products that allegedly do not comply with essential safety and information standards. Among these products are toys and baby rattles that contain button batteries, which have been inadequately secured, posing a severe risk of harm to children.
Additionally, many items on sale could lead to choking or strangulation hazards and do not meet various safety regulations, including those for cosmetics. Nicole Rich, Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, emphasised that businesses must ensure their products meet safety standards to avoid endangering customers, particularly vulnerable groups such as children.
Despite the rising demand for affordable shopping options amidst cost of living pressures, Rich stressed that consumers should not have to worry about buying dangerous items. Consumer Affairs has acted swiftly to remove the unsafe products from the market. However, she reminded businesses that adherence to the law is their responsibility right from the stock selection stage.
Anyone who has purchased products from Panda Mart is urged to return them immediately and refrain from using them. Non-compliance with safety standards can result in significant penalties for businesses—up to $50 million—and $2.5 million for individuals.
Panda Mart, which opened its first store in South Africa over ten years ago, also has locations in South America, the United States, and New Zealand. It has made its foray into the Australian market with a catalogue of over 28,000 items, many sourced from wholesale markets in China. Shoppers have compared the store to discounted online marketplace Temu, sparking interest on social media platforms like TikTok.
For any concerns or assistance, Consumer Affairs Victoria can be contacted at 1300 55 81 81.