Panda Mart Expands in Australia with New Store in Brisbane
Discount megastore Panda Mart has confirmed it will open its third Australian store in Brisbane. Known as “Temu in real life,” the discount retailer received a massive response from shoppers when it entered the Australian market last year, but it hasn’t been without its controversies.
Panda Mart announced on social media that it will open its next Australian store in Rocklea. The bargain retailer, which sells tens of thousands of discounted products, opened warehouses in Melbourne’s Cranbourne and Preston last year.
A Panda Mart spokesperson previously told Yahoo Finance that it believed it offered something “fresh and distinctive” in the retail space, where it competes against the likes of discount stores like The Reject Shop, soon to be Dollarama, as well as longstanding stalwarts Kmart, Target and Big W.
“Our focus is on variety, affordability, and uniqueness — bringing in products that are carefully curated and often not found in mainstream outlets,” the spokesperson said.
“Our stores are designed to be more than just a place to shop; they’re a space for exploration and discovery. Customers often tell us they enjoy the sense of surprise when they find items that are both practical and inspiring for their homes.”
While no details have been shared about the opening date, Panda Mart is currently hiring full-time and part-time staff in Brisbane, including floor staff, cashiers, and warehouse workers.
Public Warning Issued Over Panda Mart Items
Last month, Consumer Affairs Victoria issued a public warning about dangerous items being sold at Panda Mart’s Cranbourne and Preston stores. Inspectors have seized more than 1,000 products for sale at both stores, which are owned by different companies, that were found not to comply with mandatory information and safety standards. That included flammable candle holders that are banned in Australia.
It comes after the Consumer Affairs obtained court orders in December requiring the two stores to close for three days. It charged Panda Mart Cranbourne with 147 criminal offences in January, following the previous seizure of products.
Panda Mart Cranbourne is also facing 130 charges over allegedly unsafe lamps and other electrical products following scrutiny from Energy Safe Victoria.
Consumer Affairs Victoria director Nicole Rich said retailers were responsible for the items on their shelves under Australian Consumer Law.
“It is extremely concerning to find new products flouting product safety laws on the shelves of Panda Mart, so soon after our previous action to shut down the stores to remove dangerous goods from sale to the public,” she said.
“We’ve issued this urgent warning to urge any customers who have bought these products to stop using them and store them securely out of reach of children.”
Panda Mart Cranbourne is also facing 130 charges over allegedly unsafe lamps and other electrical products following scrutiny from Energy Safe Victoria.
After its temporary closures in December, Panda Mart reopened with a “20 per cent storewide discount to thank customers.” “We also want to assure our customers that safety remains our highest priority and we will continue to cooperate fully with Consumer Affairs Victoria,” it said in a statement.
Shoppers React to the News
Despite the controversy surrounding Panda Mart, a number of shoppers welcomed the news of the new store opening in Queensland.
“I can’t wait,” one user wrote on social media.
“Open one in Adelaide,” another said.
“Took my parents here on the weekend (originally from Tasmania). Tassie people would honestly love it,” a third wrote.
Panda Mart has drawn huge crowds to its store openings in Cranbourne and Preston, with police even called in to control a crowd of around 1,000 people on the opening weekend of its Cranbourne store.
It sells around 35,000 products at each store, with many of them believed to be sourced from China’s wholesale markets.
