A local Coles’ store "Manager's Choice" has left a customer speechless.

Coles has recently relaunched the popular 'MasterChef knives' promo for the second time in 12 months, giving customers the chance to collect the knives for free by earning credits every time they shop in their stores.

However, the timing of the promo is deemed problematic as Woolworths has just banned the sale of knives and scissors following an alleged stabbing incident at the retail giant's store in Barkly Square in Brunswick, Melbourne less than two weeks ago.

A Coles customer who spotted the promo took to Reddit, a popular web discussion platform, to share a photo of the supermarket's large display of the MasterChef Knives promotion.

The Reddit user wrote: “If this is Coles’ equivalent to Woolies not selling knives due to recent Melbourne stabbing, then OMG…”

Reddit community reacts to the Coles promo

The post sparked a debate among Reddit users, with many supporting Coles by saying the supermarket would have planned the timing of the popular promotions months ago.

One Reddit user wrote: “I am #TeamColes. I think they have just started another session of the MasterChef knives promotion. I got three knives last time and they have actually proven to be quite useful."

“These are the free MasterChef knives you can get for free if you spend a certain amount of money at Coles," another added.

Wrote one more: “It’s both part of the loyalty program with flybuys and a cross-promotion with MasterChef. It’s not a response to anything. It’s the same as when Woolies was giving out those reusable glass containers.”

A number supported this claim, saying that the sale of knives and scissors should not be banned despite the alleged stabbing incident.
“What sort of idiotic reaction is not selling knives!? It’s a regular household item used badly,” said one.

Another added: “If someone bludgeoned a few people to death with baked beans cans, or bottling people with glass bottles would they stop selling them too?”

A third wrote: “Removing knives from your store because someone used one as a weapon is the most nanny state thing to do.”

Others not only sided with Coles but have also expressed their excitement over the promo.

“Honestly, I’m keen. They have a little handheld food processor available for 80 points, and I’m going hard on flybuys until I earn it,” said one.

Added another: “The steak knives from this set are fantastic.”

A third wrote: “How good are (the knives)! It’s actually stayed shaper than my $200 Japanese knife. Stoked these are back!”

Coles responds

A Coles spokesperson told 7News.com.au that the promo has been extremely popular among their customers.

“The Coles MasterChef knives range continues to be Coles’ most popular loyalty program to date with the highest participation rate across Australian households,” the spokesperson said.

“Our customers loved the program, and we’ve brought it back by very popular demand. This year’s range features new stainless-steel MasterChef knives, scissors and an electric mini chopper, as well as a return of the four most popular knives from last year’s collection.”