Is Your Colouring Book Hiding Shocking NSFW Images? Kmart Shoppers Outraged!
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Adult colouring books have become a staple on the shelves of Aussie retailers, offering a creative and calming pastime for grown-ups looking to unwind. But a recent discovery at Kmart has left some shoppers more than a little rattled—and sparked a heated debate about what’s appropriate to stock in the family-friendly chain.
It all started when a shopper named Lucy took to TikTok to share her jaw-dropping find: a colouring book titled The Spice is the Plot. But this isn’t your average collection of mandalas and floral patterns. Instead, Lucy’s video revealed pages emblazoned with racy phrases like ‘that’s my good girl’, ‘yes daddy’, ‘good girl’, and ‘I don’t watch porn, I read it’. Not exactly the sort of thing you’d expect to find next to the kids’ craft supplies!
The video quickly went viral, with thousands of viewers expressing their shock and confusion. 'How does one even approve of this being sold at stores?' one commenter asked, echoing the sentiments of many. Another quipped, 'WOAH KMART GOT SOME EXPLAINING TO DO,' while others admitted they felt like they’d 'walked in on something' just by flipping through the book.
For those who might be wondering, The Spice is the Plot isn’t exclusive to Kmart. It’s also available at other major retailers like QBD Books, Big W, and Amazon, and is marketed as a 'novel, creative way for romance readers to indulge in their favourite genre.' The Kmart website does include a warning that the book contains explicit sexual content and is recommended for readers over 18, but that hasn’t stopped the controversy.
A New Chapter in Adult Colouring Books
Adult colouring books have exploded in popularity over the past decade, with many people turning to them as a way to relax, de-stress, and even practice mindfulness. Most are filled with intricate patterns, nature scenes, or whimsical designs. But as the trend has grown, so too has the variety—and some publishers have clearly decided to push the envelope.
While some shoppers were scandalised by the explicit content, others saw the funny side. 'I lowkey want this ngl,' one person admitted, while another joked, 'What book is this, asking for a friend.' It seems there’s a market for everything, even if it’s a little spicier than expected!
Should Adult Content Be Sold in Family Stores?
The incident has reignited the debate about what’s appropriate to sell in stores like Kmart, which are frequented by families. While the book was clearly labelled as containing adult content, its placement in a mainstream retailer has raised eyebrows. Some parents worry that curious kids could easily stumble across it, while others argue that adults should be free to purchase what they like—as long as it’s properly labelled and kept out of reach of little hands.
Retailers like Kmart face a tricky balancing act: catering to a wide range of customers while ensuring that products are displayed responsibly. In this case, the book’s explicit nature was flagged online, but it’s unclear how obvious the warnings were in-store.
A Broader Trend: Adult Themes in Everyday Products
This isn’t the first time a retailer has come under fire for stocking products with adult themes. From risqué greeting cards to cheeky novelty mugs, the line between ‘fun for grown-ups’ and ‘inappropriate for kids’ can be a blurry one. As more adults seek out products that reflect their interests and sense of humour, retailers are increasingly faced with the challenge of keeping everyone happy.
What Can Shoppers Do?
If you’re concerned about what’s on the shelves at your local store, there are a few things you can do:
Check labels and warnings: Most retailers will include age recommendations or content warnings on products with adult themes.
Speak up: If you spot something you think is inappropriate, let store staff know. Retailers often rely on customer feedback to make decisions about what to stock.
Shop online: If you’re after something specific (or want to avoid surprises), shopping online can give you more control over what you see and buy.
Your Turn: What Do You Think?
We’d love to hear your thoughts, members! Have you ever stumbled across something unexpected in a store? Do you think adult-themed products have a place in family retailers like Kmart, or should they be kept to specialty shops? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below—let’s get the conversation started!
READ MORE: Pension card holders, this Kmart perk is too good to miss!
It all started when a shopper named Lucy took to TikTok to share her jaw-dropping find: a colouring book titled The Spice is the Plot. But this isn’t your average collection of mandalas and floral patterns. Instead, Lucy’s video revealed pages emblazoned with racy phrases like ‘that’s my good girl’, ‘yes daddy’, ‘good girl’, and ‘I don’t watch porn, I read it’. Not exactly the sort of thing you’d expect to find next to the kids’ craft supplies!
The video quickly went viral, with thousands of viewers expressing their shock and confusion. 'How does one even approve of this being sold at stores?' one commenter asked, echoing the sentiments of many. Another quipped, 'WOAH KMART GOT SOME EXPLAINING TO DO,' while others admitted they felt like they’d 'walked in on something' just by flipping through the book.
A Kmart shopper was shocked to find a colouring book that is NSFW inside its store. Credit: @lavanya(..)valentino / TikTok
For those who might be wondering, The Spice is the Plot isn’t exclusive to Kmart. It’s also available at other major retailers like QBD Books, Big W, and Amazon, and is marketed as a 'novel, creative way for romance readers to indulge in their favourite genre.' The Kmart website does include a warning that the book contains explicit sexual content and is recommended for readers over 18, but that hasn’t stopped the controversy.
A New Chapter in Adult Colouring Books
Adult colouring books have exploded in popularity over the past decade, with many people turning to them as a way to relax, de-stress, and even practice mindfulness. Most are filled with intricate patterns, nature scenes, or whimsical designs. But as the trend has grown, so too has the variety—and some publishers have clearly decided to push the envelope.
While some shoppers were scandalised by the explicit content, others saw the funny side. 'I lowkey want this ngl,' one person admitted, while another joked, 'What book is this, asking for a friend.' It seems there’s a market for everything, even if it’s a little spicier than expected!
Should Adult Content Be Sold in Family Stores?
The incident has reignited the debate about what’s appropriate to sell in stores like Kmart, which are frequented by families. While the book was clearly labelled as containing adult content, its placement in a mainstream retailer has raised eyebrows. Some parents worry that curious kids could easily stumble across it, while others argue that adults should be free to purchase what they like—as long as it’s properly labelled and kept out of reach of little hands.
Retailers like Kmart face a tricky balancing act: catering to a wide range of customers while ensuring that products are displayed responsibly. In this case, the book’s explicit nature was flagged online, but it’s unclear how obvious the warnings were in-store.
A Broader Trend: Adult Themes in Everyday Products
This isn’t the first time a retailer has come under fire for stocking products with adult themes. From risqué greeting cards to cheeky novelty mugs, the line between ‘fun for grown-ups’ and ‘inappropriate for kids’ can be a blurry one. As more adults seek out products that reflect their interests and sense of humour, retailers are increasingly faced with the challenge of keeping everyone happy.
What Can Shoppers Do?
If you’re concerned about what’s on the shelves at your local store, there are a few things you can do:
Check labels and warnings: Most retailers will include age recommendations or content warnings on products with adult themes.
Speak up: If you spot something you think is inappropriate, let store staff know. Retailers often rely on customer feedback to make decisions about what to stock.
Shop online: If you’re after something specific (or want to avoid surprises), shopping online can give you more control over what you see and buy.
Your Turn: What Do You Think?
We’d love to hear your thoughts, members! Have you ever stumbled across something unexpected in a store? Do you think adult-themed products have a place in family retailers like Kmart, or should they be kept to specialty shops? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below—let’s get the conversation started!
READ MORE: Pension card holders, this Kmart perk is too good to miss!
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