Coles Little Shop 2: Woman throws tantrum demanding more toys

The new range of supermarket collectables has been out for less than a week, and already fans are going crazy for the mini grocery items.

The collectables craze has induced another embarrassing public display with a mum throwing a tantrum after being refused a Coles Little Shop toy because she was 53 cents short of the needed in-store spend.

The woman took to Facebook to declare her anger at the rejection but was mocked by other users on the social media site.

“So I went to Coles today,” she began. “Spent $59.47. Only got one little shopper.”

Coles’ Little Shop: from instant coffee to Vegemite.

She said she appealed to the cashier assistant to give her two miniature grocery items from the toy series, but the employee stuck to company policy that dictates one toy is handed over for every $30 spent.

Fans queued at Westfield Eastgardens for the release of Coles Little Shop 2. Picture: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images

The mum told the staff she had “spent thousands of dollars at Coles over the years” and asked to speak with the manager of the store, but that staff member also declined the play for the toy.

“What a sour puss she was,” the mum’s post said. “She declined my request after being 47c away from another Little Shopper.

“I would’ve bought an extra apple had I have had my calculator going.

“I hate you Coles. Miserable, petty, mean.”

Miah Attwood from Bundamba is a more suitable age to be keen on the toy series.

Fellow collectors took aim at the mum on social media, mocking the woman’s tantrum and spill online.

“It makes my heart happy that (the staff) didn’t back down,” one person said.

Another teased the woman’s poor maths for incorrectly calculating the gap between $60 and $59.47.

“I’m not a mathematician … but how pissed is she going be when she realises she’s still six cents short,” the user said.

Coles has released a new collection of 30 mini collectables of iconic supermarket products. Picture: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images

Both Coles and Woolworths went head-to-head with the release of their collectables campaigns with an equally cute sets of miniatures — Little Shop 2 versus Disney’s The Lion King ooshies.

Coles will rely on the success of its Little Shop campaign with an updated list of miniature grocery items, including Arnott’s Barbecue Shapes, Heinz Baked Beans, Maggi 2 Minute Noodles, Campbell’s Tomato Soup and the refreshing Eclipse Mints.

Vegemite will have its adorable version out again, but this time the vintage label will be up for grabs.

Just 100 limited-edition gold trolleys will be in circulation to add an extra challenge for the young ones wanting to fill their replica shelves.

WHO WILL WIN THE COLLECTIBLES BATTLE?

Despite the collectibles being designed to be collected not discarded, the campaigns have angered many environmental groups given the timing of plastic-free July, Queensland University of Technology retail expert Gary Mortimer said.

“Woolworths are really leading the way here — the packaging is recyclable paper based, and if you don’t want your collectable, Woolworths has partnered with TerraCycle to recycle any unwanted ones,” he said.

“Coles has extended their program to include their Coles Express business. Smart move … fill up your car and grab a couple of collectables.”