’Nightmare for us’: Fierce row erupts between trendy gift shops just 600m away

An unusual row has erupted between two trendy gift stores, and the pictures certainly paint quite the story.

A row has erupted between the owners of two trendy gift shops in a fashionable suburb, after one was accused of “copy and pasting” the style of another.

The owners of Hands, in the Sydney suburb of Newtown, have lashed out at its new competitor after a similar-looking company, Sharing, opened just 600m down the road, while the new kids on the block say they’re considering legal action over the claim.

Hands has served a carefully curated collection of lifestyle, gifts and homewares to customers since 2022, with Sharing recently opening on the suburb’s lauded King St retail strip.

Hands’ owners claim the similarities between aspects of the shop are undeniable, posting pictures on social media declaring the ‘copy and pasted’ style “a nightmare”.

But the owners of Sharing say they’ve done nothing wrong and are considering legal action against Hands.

“From first hearing from our friends and customers that there was a shop on King St that copy-pasted us to learning how far the copying really went,” Hands’ owners posted online.

Sharing’s owner vehemently denied all allegations of copying.

Sharing (red circle) appeared just 600 meters away from Hands on Newtown’s King St retail strip last week. Picture: Instagram

Hands’ owners claim a new competitor, Sharing, has use similar-looking designs and furnishings. Picture: Instagram

Hands’ owners allege Sharing has utilised similar brand colours, store design, furniture, website design, and even the brands they sell. Picture: Instagram

When news.com.au visited Sharing, at 209 King St, on Wednesday morning, two women were still setting up the store.

One woman, who eventually identified herself as an owner, was aware of the claims of copying and labelled the backlash “bullying”.

“I don’t know why ... it’s different,” she said when asked about the claims.

“I can change it - we’re not even set up yet.”

A sign taped to the store’s window reads: “Soft opening - under trial operation. We apologise for any inconvenience - Your suggestions welcome - Welcome to provide feedback, we are attentive and open to improvement.”

Sharing’s owner denied all allegations made against the store. Picture: news.com.au

Sharing is listed online to officially open on Friday but has been operating a ‘soft opening’ in recent days. Picture: news.com.au

A good run of traffic lights permitting, the two stores were only a five-minute walk from one another.

A series of images shared by Hands’ owners on Instagram shows what they say are several striking similarities between the two shops.

The owners of Hands claim Sharing have utilised similiar brand colours, store design, furniture, website design, and even the brands sold.

Several images show similiar-looking furniture, including a tile table, a custom-designed wavy table, wooden IKEA shelving and wood crate art displays.

The post also accuses Sharing of selling ‘fake’ copies and unauthorised versions of exclusive Hands’ brands and designs. Picture: Instagram

Sharing announced its soft launch on Instagram and its official opening is scheduled for May 24. Picture: Instagram

Always Good Store Pty Ltd, based in Lidcome, is the company behind Sharing and its directors are Ying Liu and Zongying Su from China. Picture: Instagram

Hands’ fans expressed their frustration to Sharing, prompting Sharing to turn off comments on its social media pages. Picture: Instagram

Hands also accused Sharing of selling “fake” versions of some products it stocks.

Sharing’s owner vehemently denied all allegations of copying design elements.

The owner said shared products between the stores were not “fake”, instead arguing they were sourced through different importers.

The owner also said they were considering legal action to have Hands’ Instagram post removed.

Hands, at 279 Australia St, comparing its store to Sharing’s. Picture: Instagram

Hands’ owners did not wish to make further comment when contacted.

Sharing’s soft launch was announced on Instagram on May 17, with its official opening slated for Friday, May 24.

The business was listed on the Australian Business Register on March 18, 2024, by Lidcombe-based company Always Good Store Pty Ltd. The King St storefront was leased on March 21.

The owners of Hands noticed many similarities, including between the storefronts. Picture: Instagram

Front window displays were also highlighted in a post made by the owners of Hands. Picture: Instagram

Hands supporters took to alternative avenues to express their discontent with Sharing directly, leading owners to turn off comments on the store’s social media pages.

“Where do you find the gall to (allegedly) rip off another store’s ideas and hard work?” one asked on the store’s “questions and answers” function on Google.

Another asked: “Why are you (allegedly) copying Hands shop? If you are interested in visiting this store, I recommend you visit the original authentic one, ‘Hands’ so that you support the original concept.”

In its post, the owners of Hands said they had spent two years curating unique brands and were left “devastated” by the extent of Sharing’s apparent similarities.

“This whole drama has been the most stressful experience we’ve had since opening,” the business wrote.

“Through the blood, sweat, and tears of building Hands, nothing has made us feel so truly sad and in disbelief.

“Sharing, we didn’t agree to share anything with you.”