Kmart going all-in? Discovery in toy aisle leaves parent dealt with a bad hand!
- Replies 17
Navigating the aisles of a family-friendly store like Kmart, parents typically expect to find toys and games that are suitable for children of all ages.
However, one parent's recent experience serves as a stark reminder that sometimes, items meant for adults can end up in the least expected places, causing confusion and concern.
The incident unfolded when a mum was at Kmart searching for a gift for her son’s friend's 9th birthday when her son came running up to her.
The child, eyes wide with the excitement that only a toy section can elicit, stumbled upon an item that was clearly not designed for their innocent hands.
‘What about this, mum?’ the child asked, presenting a Pro Poker Texas Hold’em Poker Set ($29) to his mother.
The set, which included 300 heavyweight poker chips, was marked as suitable for ages 18 and over, a detail that would make any parent do a double-take.
The mother's initial reaction was one of surprise and bewilderment.
How could such an item—clearly intended for an adult audience—find its way into the toy section, nestled among family-friendly board games and colourful card decks like UNO?
It seemed out of place, more suited to the Sports and Outdoor section, or perhaps even the Men’s section, but there it was, on the board games wall, in plain sight for any child to find.
‘I don’t think so, honey, that’s for older people,’ the mum told her son, putting the set back.
This discovery sparked a wave of annoyance in the parent, who felt that Kmart was inadvertently promoting gambling by placing an R18+ game alongside innocuous classics.
In today's world, where children are bombarded with various influences from social media to gambling, parents often feel like they're fighting a losing battle to preserve their children's innocence.
The NSW Youth Gambling Study 2022 shed light on this issue, revealing that young people's attitudes and behaviours towards gambling are being shaped by a myriad of influences, including advertising and the media.
Children between the ages of 12 and 17 are particularly vulnerable, often reporting an overwhelming exposure to gambling messages in their daily lives.
Concerned about the implications of such exposure, the parent reached out to Kmart for clarification.
She asked why the poker set was placed in the toy section, and if there could be a more suitable spot within the store.
A spokesperson from Kmart responded, ‘We have sold our Pro Poker set for several years, and it is one of our much-loved adult gaming products. The set comes with clear age recommendations and is displayed to help our customers make informed purchases.’
While Kmart may not see an issue with the placement of the poker set, the concerned parent couldn't shake the feeling that it was inappropriate to have such an item where children are likely to browse and explore.
This incident has sparked a wave of controversy and raised questions about the appropriateness of certain products being sold in stores frequented by families.
Other parents have voiced similar concerns recently, such as the uproar over a questionable Kmart product and the backlash against an age-inappropriate book.
These incidents have ignited a broader conversation about the need for stricter oversight on the items displayed in stores catering to children and families.
Have you ever come across an item in a store that you felt was inappropriately placed? How do you think retailers should handle the display of adult-only products to ensure they don't end up in the hands of curious children? We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
However, one parent's recent experience serves as a stark reminder that sometimes, items meant for adults can end up in the least expected places, causing confusion and concern.
The incident unfolded when a mum was at Kmart searching for a gift for her son’s friend's 9th birthday when her son came running up to her.
The child, eyes wide with the excitement that only a toy section can elicit, stumbled upon an item that was clearly not designed for their innocent hands.
‘What about this, mum?’ the child asked, presenting a Pro Poker Texas Hold’em Poker Set ($29) to his mother.
The set, which included 300 heavyweight poker chips, was marked as suitable for ages 18 and over, a detail that would make any parent do a double-take.
A child discovered an adult poker set in Kmart's toy section while looking for a gift for his friend’s 9th birthday. Credits: Kmart Australia
The mother's initial reaction was one of surprise and bewilderment.
How could such an item—clearly intended for an adult audience—find its way into the toy section, nestled among family-friendly board games and colourful card decks like UNO?
It seemed out of place, more suited to the Sports and Outdoor section, or perhaps even the Men’s section, but there it was, on the board games wall, in plain sight for any child to find.
‘I don’t think so, honey, that’s for older people,’ the mum told her son, putting the set back.
This discovery sparked a wave of annoyance in the parent, who felt that Kmart was inadvertently promoting gambling by placing an R18+ game alongside innocuous classics.
In today's world, where children are bombarded with various influences from social media to gambling, parents often feel like they're fighting a losing battle to preserve their children's innocence.
The NSW Youth Gambling Study 2022 shed light on this issue, revealing that young people's attitudes and behaviours towards gambling are being shaped by a myriad of influences, including advertising and the media.
Children between the ages of 12 and 17 are particularly vulnerable, often reporting an overwhelming exposure to gambling messages in their daily lives.
Concerned about the implications of such exposure, the parent reached out to Kmart for clarification.
She asked why the poker set was placed in the toy section, and if there could be a more suitable spot within the store.
A spokesperson from Kmart responded, ‘We have sold our Pro Poker set for several years, and it is one of our much-loved adult gaming products. The set comes with clear age recommendations and is displayed to help our customers make informed purchases.’
While Kmart may not see an issue with the placement of the poker set, the concerned parent couldn't shake the feeling that it was inappropriate to have such an item where children are likely to browse and explore.
This incident has sparked a wave of controversy and raised questions about the appropriateness of certain products being sold in stores frequented by families.
Other parents have voiced similar concerns recently, such as the uproar over a questionable Kmart product and the backlash against an age-inappropriate book.
These incidents have ignited a broader conversation about the need for stricter oversight on the items displayed in stores catering to children and families.
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. Big fn deal.
