Police called to control crowds as thousands flock to new discount store

It was pandemonium at a highly anticipated Temu-style discount store, with thousands of eager shoppers flocking to check out the retailer’s grand opening.

Chaos has broken out after a highly-anticipated discount store opened in Melbourne, resulting in the store shutting its doors and calling in the police to help control the crowd.

Described as a Temu-style store, Panda Mart is a discount retailer known for its huge selection of homewares and everyday goods at heavily discounted prices.

The retailer first began in South Africa and opened the doors of its first Australian store in Cranbourne in Melbourne’s southeast on Thursday, with more than 50,000 items on offer.

Panda Mart opened its doors on Thursday. Picture: Supplied

Hundreds of people lined up for more than two hours on the opening day, with the queue extending into the street and around the corner.

Shoppers began filming eager customers, who began pushing and shoving the doors to try and get access to the discount items for sale.

The line to get inside was so long, some waited more than two hours for a chance to shop. Picture: Supplied

At one point, the police were required to control the crowd Picture: Supplied

At one point, the chaos became so intense that staff had to shut the doors to stop people from coming inside, with some describing the scenes as the “stuff of nightmares”.

Police were also required to attend the scene to control the throng of eager shoppers.

The doors re-opened the following day, flanked with security as a safety precaution.

“We apologise for the recent crowding in our store, which may have impacted your shopping experience,” the store said in a statement.

“To improve safety and comfort, we’re actively managing customer flow by increasing staff, implementing crowd control, and streamlining checkout.”

Doors were shut by staff members to help keep the peace. Picture: Supplied

The shoppers left a path of destruction after they visited the store. Picture: Supplied

Shoppers were shocked by the chaotic scenes at the retailer’s opening event, some likening it to a “stampede”.

“The surge in customers was outrageous,” a person said online.

“A lot of arguments and people shouting at each other.”

The pandemonium continued once the shoppers were inside the store, leaving a path of destruction as they explored the shop.

Thousands of items, including bedding, flowers, footwear and other homewares were left ripped out of their packaging and scattered across the floor, which was slammed by others online.

“People were being so disgusting, just throwing stuff on the floor or knocking it off and leaving it,” an angry shopper wrote.

“So much pushing and shoving, (it) was awful and worse in the car park.”

There are currently Panda Mart stores open in the US, South America and New Zealand, with plans to open a second store in Preston.

NewsWire has contacted Panda Mart for comment.

Originally published as Police called to control crowds as thousands flock to new discount store