Bunnings sparks frenzy with $19 Bluey Hammerbarn garden gnome

The hardware store just released a limited-edition item that shoppers are claiming was “gone in minutes” after hitting shelves.

Bunnings has caused chaos after releasing a range of limited-edition garden gnomes as part of its collaboration with a popular Australian children’s TV show.

The hardware chain recently transformed seven of its stores in Australia and New Zealand into “Hammerbarn”, a fictional DIY chain featured in Bluey, for the month of February.

As well as rebranding shop fronts and offering Bluey-themed kids DIY workshops on weekends, Bunnings has dropped a line of merchandise in all its stores – with one particular product whipping up a frenzy.

The retail giant released four “Bluey Hammerbarn” garden gnomes, dubbed “husbands” in the episode the ornaments featured in, which aired in August 2020.

But the four figurines, which retail at $19, have proved so “popular” that many are claiming the product has “sold out” online.

Bunnings has sparked a frenzy with its Bluey Hammerbarn garden gnome. Picture: TikTok

The $19 product, modelled on an episode of the kids TV show, has proved very popular. Picture: TikTok

Bunnings confirmed to news.com.au the “sought-after product” had been snapped up by eager-Aussies, stating the Hammerbarn collaboration had “exceeded expectations”.

“Our Bluey product range has been extremely popular over the weekend, with the Bluey garden gnomes (husbands) being the most sought-after product, causing all floor stock to sell out,” a spokesperson said.

“We are sorry to hear some customers missed out on a Bluey garden gnome this weekend.

“There will be additional stock of the range dropping into selected stores soon and we are working hard to get this into stores as quickly as possible.”

Shoppers have expressed disappointment at missing out on social media – with some revealing they had gone to extreme lengths to snag the $19 item.

“My Bunnings had nothing,” one shopper shared on TikTok.

“My local store was sold out,” another wrote.

As one shared: “I went to a Bunnings to get the garden gnomes and they were all gone, apparently they disappeared in a matter of minutes.”

The merchandise was released as part of Bunnings collaboration with the fictional ‘Hammerbarn’. Picture: TikTok

However there were plenty who revealed they’d scored a “new husband”, a name which refers to a scene in the Bluey episode where Bingo picks up a garden gnome in Hammerbarn and declares the figurine her future betrothed, in videos shared on the social media platform.

“I got two husbands, two totes and a bag tag,” one happy shopper said.

“Ran to Bunnings this morning to pick these up bc I love them,” someone else stated, alongside a video showing off their “haul”.

As one lucky shopper declared: “Got all the ‘husbands’ at Hammerbarn today.”

Spot the difference. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Signs spotted at Bunnings stores show there was a purchase restriction on customers, but it seems many fans were able to snag all four Bluey figurines.

Loyal Bluey fan Christian Hull, a popular comedian and social media personality, was unable to make it into stores to snag one of the coveted gnomes due to work commitments – however one of his followers came to his rescue.

In a video showing a “dodgy deal” in a Launceston car park, Hull could be seen meeting a woman who was happy to exchange him for a festival tickets.

“What an insanely stressful 9 hours it has been,” he wrote.

“Two planes, an airport transfer and a dodgy deal on a street corner. But I’m so thrilled to announce: I GOT MY GNOMES!”

One fan, Christian Hull, went to great lengths to secure the figurines. Picture: TikTok

The product is claimed to be ‘sold out’ by shoppers. Picture: TikTok

It wasn’t smooth sailing however, with Hull sharing footage of himself stuffing the four collectables into a suitcase before someone shouts “the cops are coming”.

Thankfully, it appears the items survived the incident unscathed.

“This is unhinged and I love it,” one fan commented.

“This is the absolute best thing I’ve seen on TikTok all day,” another declared.

Bunnings said there are “still heaps of ways customers can get involved in the Hammerbarn fun this month including free Bluey-themed kids D.I.Y. workshops (more sessions to become available this week), scavenger hunts, face painting, colouring walls and so much more”.