Global supermarket trend turns ‘feral’, hits Coles and Woolies

There are calls for a trend, which just hit Coles and Woolies, to stop after it brought out the worst in some shoppers, destroying aisles.

Women are pleading for “kind” strangers to call time on a feel good supermarket trend after it brought out the worst in some shoppers and left aisles completely destroyed.

Social media has been awash with people taking part in the “she deserved the purse” trend, which has seen generous individuals stuffing money and inspirational messages inside baby products at supermarkets – including several Coles and Woolworths stores in Australia.

However the movement, designed by women to help “struggling” and “deserving” mothers, has taken a disappointing turn for the worse after it attracted “selfish” people who were determined to find the stashed cash.

The result has seen supermarkets and discount grocery stores ransacked as people hunt for hidden money.

Women have been taking part in the 'she deserved the purse' trend. Picture: TikTok

“Can’t we just let a good thing be a good thing,” one woman asks, as she can be seen walking through a US Target store shaking her head.

The viral clip, which has been viewed almost 19 million times, then pans to show items on the shelves which have been ripped open by “greedy” cash grabbers, including boxes of nappies, baby wipes and even medication.

“Actually so upset to see grown adults act like this,” she captioned the TikTok video.

Many were viscerally affected by the “feral” response to what was meant to be a “nice” trend, created after a woman named Denaesha Gonzalez, 28, noticed a sparkly handbag strewn amongst bottles of baby formula in a shop that many speculated meant the mother had sacrificed her own wishes for her kid’s needs.

“Kinda knew something like this would happen. People are just too greedy,” one commented.

“People are seriously THIS pathetic to do that…especially when they don’t need it,” another agreed.

As one stated: “When I saw someone post a video that they were putting the money in those, my first thought was that people will just go and take that money even if they may not need it.”

But the feel good act sweeping supermarkets has turned ‘feral’. Picture: TikTok/@marinagudov

Baby products have been destroyed as people hunt for cash meant for ‘struggling and deserving’ mothers. Picture: TikTok/@marinagudov

Others labelled those who had raided the baby products with the hopes of finding money “disgusting”, noting the antics had “completely destroyed” the supermarket aisle in the process.

“This is heartbreaking,” wrote one.

“Can’t believe people do this,” agreed another.

However, there were some who argued that those leaving the gifts were in the wrong, stating if they hadn’t shared what they were doing on social media in a bid for approval and attention, then the money would have ended up in the hands it was meant for.

“That’s why I’m a firm believer in doing something and not telling anyone about it. It feels morally wrong to do something good and then hit record to share with people online that I did that,” one said.

“Sometimes good things doesn’t need to be recorded,” agreed another.

Others pointed out that the damage to the products would also cause issues, as it meant stores would no longer be able to sell the items, which could result in shortages.

One woman who said she “found $50 in my baby’s reflux formula” described the moment she “sobbed for hours” over the good act.

“My boy was medically complex and was receiving his formula via a feeding tube. It was so appreciated,” she shared.

Australians have been getting in on the act too. Picture: TikTok

Videos filmed in Woolworths and Coles show kind-hearted individuals leaving money stashed in baby products. Picture: TikTok

Australians have been getting in on the good Samaritan trend too.

In one clip, a young mum can be seen entering a Woolworths store with her young bub strapped to her chest, and slipping $50 notes under the lids of baby formula along with a Post-It note containing an encouraging message.

“Mama, I see you, I am so proud of you, buy yourself something,” one read.

She then proceeded to slide the cash and note inside a box of infant cough syrup and a baby bottle too.

While another mum had “anxiety” after leaving money inside the lid of a can of baby formula in Woolies and rushed back inside to retrieve it, instead handing the money to a woman instead.

Originally published as Global supermarket trend turns ‘feral’, hits Coles and Woolies