In a world where the hustle and bustle of retail work can take a toll on the body, one group of Kmart employees has taken a proactive approach to their health and well-being that has left shoppers both surprised and impressed. A Sydney man, Zane Ammar, recently stumbled upon a sight that is not typically associated with the retail environment: Kmart workers engaging in group stretches before starting their morning shift.

As the clock struck 8 am, Mr Ammar, who was perusing the aisles for sporting goods, couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the staff members standing in a circle, diligently stretching their necks and limbs. Curiosity piqued, he approached the group, filming the encounter, and was met with a warm invitation to join in. 'Excuse me, sorry to interrupt the workout,' he said, only to be greeted with a friendly, 'Not at all, would you like to join today?'

A shopper found this bizarre act from Kmart staff while he was in store. Credit: @zaneammar2 / TikTok

The interaction that followed was nothing short of heartwarming. Mr Ammar, now part of the circle, inquired about the purpose of the stretches, to which a staff member replied, 'Yep, pretty much,' confirming that it was indeed a warm-up for the shift ahead. As he participated, the staff member complimented him, saying, 'Aren't you a lovely young man? Very handsome and everything. Great personality.' She even extended an open invitation for him to join the group sessions every day.

This unexpected moment of camaraderie and concern for employee well-being has sparked a conversation on social media, with many users expressing support for the practice. Retail work, often underestimated, can be physically demanding, with long hours on one's feet, repetitive movements, and the occasional heavy lifting. Stretching can be a crucial routine to help mitigate muscle strains and reduce the risk of injuries.

Indeed, many retail workers chimed in, sharing that their employers also mandate daily stretches to prevent time off work due to injuries. 'Where I work, it's mandatory to do stretches before we start our shifts,' one social media user commented. Another joked, 'I work for another big Aussie retailer, and we do it too, so many people complain, but I need those stretches.'

Even a health and safety officer praised the initiative, highlighting the importance of such practices in the workplace. It's not just retail workers who find value in this; a construction worker humorously admitted to doing the same, hoping not to be seen.

The science behind the stretches is solid. Australian company Primal Physiotherapy advises workers to warm up before their shift to get the blood flowing and reduce the risk of injury. Their website states, 'When we begin work, it's important to warm up our body and muscles so we can move smoothly and lessen the risk of injury.'

Daily Mail Australia reached out to Kmart for comment, but the story of the Kmart staff's pre-shift ritual is a reminder of the importance of taking care of one's health, even in the least expected places. It's a practice that perhaps more companies should consider adopting, not just for the physical benefits but also for the positive impact on team morale and customer relations.

You can watch Ammar's video below:

Credit: @zaneammar2 / TikTok​

Key Takeaways

• A young shopper discovered Kmart workers performing group stretches before starting their shift and joined in.
• The incident was captured on video and shared on social media, where it received positive reactions from viewers.
• Many retail workers backed the practice, saying stretching is important to prevent strains and injuries from the physically demanding work.
• Primal Physiotherapy recommends warming up before shifts to reduce the risk of injury, and some Australian companies have made it a mandatory practice.

To our dear Seniors Discount Club members, have you witnessed any unique or heartwarming practices during your shopping trips? Or perhaps you have your own pre-activity rituals to share? Let us know in the comments below – we love hearing about the ways people and businesses are making the daily grind a little lighter and healthier for everyone involved.

 

[magpie1]

Why would they be doing it when the store has opened?......should be at work looking after their customers surely....maybe they should start their exercises a lot earlier. Finding staff at KMART to enquire about your shopping needs is hard at the best of times, in my experience at our local store anyway.

 

[Ezzy]

Why would they be doing it when the store has opened?......should be at work looking after their customers surely....maybe they should start their exercises a lot earlier. Finding staff at KMART to enquire about your shopping needs is hard at the best of times, in my experience at our local store anyway.

To do these exercises prior to the start time means these are done in their own unpaid time & not the employee's working time. After all, the reason for these exercises is to help avoid an accident doing their jobs for the employer because muscles weren't warmed up & stretched before starting work. Is this any different to an athlete or sports person who does stretches & warms up prior to an activity.

 

[magpie1]

To do these exercises prior to the start time means these are done in their own unpaid time & not the employee's working time. After all, the reason for these exercises is to help avoid an accident doing their jobs for the employer because muscles weren't warmed up & stretched before starting work. Is this any different to an athlete or sports person who does stretches & warms up prior to an activity.

The article states that they were found by a shopper in the store at opening time....they should be at work by then even if they started in their own time.....then they even asked the shopper to join in with them.....what.? They should be warmed up for work before the store opening, not warming up when the store is open for business.

 

[Ezzy]

The article states that they were found by a shopper in the store at opening time....they should be at work by then even if they started in their own time.....then they even asked the shopper to join in with them.....what.? They should be warmed up for work before the store opening, not warming up when the store is open for business.

I disagree.

I believe they were seen to be doing the right thing by the employer. The actions of the employees are more for the benefit of the employer more than themselves i.e. warming & stretching is to avoid injuries which could render the employee unable to work from a strain etc & possibly put them on Worker's Compensation. If these were started at start time prior to going onto the floor the employees would be accused of not starting on time!

Perhaps office staff should also have similar exercises given that a great number of injuries happen in those environments.

 

[Sass]

Why would they be doing it when the store has opened?......should be at work looking after their customers surely....maybe they should start their exercises a lot earlier. Finding staff at KMART to enquire about your shopping needs is hard at the best of times, in my experience at our local store anyway.

He did say the employees were doing these exercises before their shift had started.

 

[Ezzy]

He did say the employees were doing these exercises before their shift had started.

How does he know what time their shift starts & ends?

 

[Kevin. A.]

This practice is more prevalent in many Asian countries were worker all perform a routine worm up before they commence work.

 

[Viellarde]

Why would they be doing it when the store has opened?......should be at work looking after their customers surely....maybe they should start their exercises a lot earlier. Finding staff at KMART to enquire about your shopping needs is hard at the best of times, in my experience at our local store anyway.

Maybe this group's shift hadn't started yet. One would expect a lot more employees at Kmart. Once in a while, let's praise instead of finding fault.

 

[magpie1]

The last time that I visited our local KMart store was just after the Christmas break...it was a Sunday morning and I also wanted to go to Woolworths during the visit to our local major shopping centre. I took note that KMart was opening at 8am that day and Woolworths at 9am. I arrived at KMart at approx. 8.15am and started looking for some kitchen items that I wanted....I couldn't find them, nor could I find any staff to ask about them. I moved on to the bedding dept. looking for some sheets which I located and then through to the mens clothing Dept. looking for pants, shorts and a cheap pair of casual shoes that I could primarily use for gardening at home, after much searching I found all of my shopping and went to pay in the middle of the store, where there was only 3 people working there...these 3 people were the only staff that I encountered during my shop with no one on the floor at all nor manning the shops' exit where you are usually required to show your invoice for goods at the very least. Admittedly it was early, but nonetheless you would expect to see at least ONE staff member in your travels in nearly 3 quarters of an hour shopping who you could ask for any help....not one. Anyway that was the reason for my comment about staff who are doing warm up exercises AFTER the shop had opened. ps....I didn't even witness any staff doing warm up exercises let alone serving customers on the floor of the shop.

 

[Viellarde]

The last time that I visited our local KMart store was just after the Christmas break...it was a Sunday morning and I also wanted to go to Woolworths during the visit to our local major shopping centre. I took note that KMart was opening at 8am that day and Woolworths at 9am. I arrived at KMart at approx. 8.15am and started looking for some kitchen items that I wanted....I couldn't find them, nor could I find any staff to ask about them. I moved on to the bedding dept. looking for some sheets which I located and then through to the mens clothing Dept. looking for pants, shorts and a cheap pair of casual shoes that I could primarily use for gardening at home, after much searching I found all of my shopping and went to pay in the middle of the store, where there was only 3 people working there...these 3 people were the only staff that I encountered during my shop with no one on the floor at all nor manning the shops' exit where you are usually required to show your invoice for goods at the very least. Admittedly it was early, but nonetheless you would expect to see at least ONE staff member in your travels in nearly 3 quarters of an hour shopping who you could ask for any help....not one. Anyway that was the reason for my comment about staff who are doing warm up exercises AFTER the shop had opened. ps....I didn't even witness any staff doing warm up exercises let alone serving customers on the floor of the shop.

Apologies. I don't like shopping. Food is a necessity, as is banking, but I must be in dire need of clothes, shoes, etc to willingly enter a shopping centre once every few years. That may explain why I don't look for staff.
I don't like the lights, crowds rushing past or stopping me fron rushing past. I am however very friendly and sociable.

 

[Kevin. A.]

The last time that I visited our local KMart store was just after the Christmas break...it was a Sunday morning and I also wanted to go to Woolworths during the visit to our local major shopping centre. I took note that KMart was opening at 8am that day and Woolworths at 9am. I arrived at KMart at approx. 8.15am and started looking for some kitchen items that I wanted....I couldn't find them, nor could I find any staff to ask about them. I moved on to the bedding dept. looking for some sheets which I located and then through to the mens clothing Dept. looking for pants, shorts and a cheap pair of casual shoes that I could primarily use for gardening at home, after much searching I found all of my shopping and went to pay in the middle of the store, where there was only 3 people working there...these 3 people were the only staff that I encountered during my shop with no one on the floor at all nor manning the shops' exit where you are usually required to show your invoice for goods at the very least. Admittedly it was early, but nonetheless you would expect to see at least ONE staff member in your travels in nearly 3 quarters of an hour shopping who you could ask for any help....not one. Anyway that was the reason for my comment about staff who are doing warm up exercises AFTER the shop had opened. ps....I didn't even witness any staff doing warm up exercises let alone serving customers on the floor of the shop.

I do not understand why KMart has placed their cashiers in the middle of the stores. You then pay for your goods only to be forced to show your bags again, and receipt because you have to go through the rest of the store in order to exit. I will never understand why KMart Managment have done this?????