Real-life Temu trend: New discount experience stirs curiosity across suburbs
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If you’ve ever scrolled through Temu or Wish and thought, 'Wouldn’t it be nice to actually see and touch all these bargains before I buy them?'—well, your wish has just come true in the form of Panda Mart.
The discount megastore, which has been described as 'Temu in real life', has just opened its second Australian location, and it’s already causing a stir among bargain hunters and curious shoppers alike.
Panda Mart’s new home is an enormous 8,300-square-metre warehouse in Preston, Melbourne—once a Bunnings, now a treasure trove of everything from $1.50 mugs to $40 suitcases.
The store’s 'soft launch' this week is just the beginning. Its grand opening is set for Friday, 12 September, and it promises 20 per cent off more than 50,000 products across its Preston and Cranbourne stores.
If you love a good deal (and who doesn’t these days?), it might be time to dust off your shopping trolley and limber up for some serious bargain hunting.
Panda Mart isn’t just another two-dollar shop. Founded in South Africa over a decade ago, the company has more than 100 superstores across New Zealand, South America, the US, and Africa.
Its shelves are stacked with over 53,000 products—think homewares, kitchen gadgets, furniture, cleaning supplies, gym equipment, and more.
Many items are sourced directly from China’s massive wholesale markets, which explains the 'real-life Temu' nickname that’s been making the rounds on social media.
The appeal is obvious: why wait weeks for a parcel from overseas when you can walk into a warehouse and walk out with your haul the same day?
As Professor Gary Mortimer from QUT points out, 'The ability to walk into a store like Panda Mart and grab what you want is an attractive proposition for consumers.
There’s also the opportunity to physically touch, feel, and examine the quality of the product before you make a purchase.'
And let’s be honest, who among us hasn’t been disappointed by a dodgy online buy that looked nothing like the photo?
One of the joys of shopping in a place like Panda Mart is the thrill of the unexpected.
Online, you have to know what you’re looking for, scrolling through endless pages.
In-store, you might spot a quirky kitchen gadget or a plush toy you never knew you needed—until you see it, that is.
Physical stores encourage those delightful impulse purchases, and Panda Mart’s sheer scale means there’s always something new to discover.
Australia is no stranger to discount retailers—The Reject Shop, Cheap as Chips, and countless independent variety stores have been staples for years.
But Panda Mart is playing a different game. Its warehouse-sized stores dwarf the competition, and its product range and price points are designed to compete not just with other discount shops, but with the likes of Kmart and BIG W.
Marketing expert Carmel Zein believes Panda Mart is shaking up the market: 'They’re not just going after the two-dollar shop niche, they’re positioning themselves right up against household names. What makes them disruptive is their ability to bring that Temu-style product range and price point into a physical retail setting.'
In other words, it’s not just about cheap stuff—it’s about giving shoppers the same products as the big brands, minus the markup.
Not everyone is convinced, though. Professor Mortimer argues that Panda Mart sits below the likes of Kmart and BIG W, and is more in line with Silly Solly’s and other third-tier variety stores.
Whether Panda Mart can truly disrupt the market or will settle into a niche remains to be seen—but one thing’s for sure, it’s got people talking.
Of course, with ultra-low prices comes a word of warning. Earlier this year, Consumer Affairs Victoria raided Panda Mart’s Cranbourne store, confiscating thousands of unsafe products—including toys with unsecured button batteries and cosmetics that didn’t meet safety standards.
Authorities reminded shoppers that while bargains are great, safety should never be compromised—especially when it comes to products for children.
'Most reasonable consumers will see these warnings about safety and will probably be more cautious, particularly when it comes to children’s products,' says Professor Mortimer. But as Carmel Zein points out, 'affordability often does trump safety in the discount shopping space.'
With the cost of living on the rise, many Aussies are looking for ways to stretch their dollar, but it’s important to stay vigilant and check for safety certifications, especially on items for the grandkids.
So why did Panda Mart choose Melbourne for its Australian debut? According to Zein, the city’s diverse and experimental shoppers are less brand-obsessed and more open to alternatives.
It’s the perfect testing ground before a potential nationwide rollout. And with two massive sites already secured—one a former Masters, the other a former Bunnings—Panda Mart is clearly thinking big.
Expansion beyond Melbourne will depend on finding suitable locations (giant empty warehouses don’t grow on trees, after all).
There’s talk of moving into former BIG W sites or even airport retail areas, but for now, Melburnians are the lucky ones with front-row seats to the Panda Mart phenomenon.
The excitement around Panda Mart’s openings has been compared to the frenzy usually reserved for new Apple stores or cult-favourite fashion brands.
Social media has played a huge role, with shoppers eager to share their hauls and 'hacks' for getting the best deals.
As Zein puts it, 'It’s not just about cheap goods, it’s about consumers feeling like they’ve ‘hacked the system’ by getting what they need without overpaying for the label.'
But will the hype last? Mortimer predicts that the novelty will wear off as more stores open, but for now, Panda Mart is riding a wave of excitement—and giving Aussie shoppers a new way to hunt for bargains.
If you love a good rummage, enjoy the thrill of a bargain, or just want to see what all the fuss is about, Panda Mart is definitely worth a look.
Just remember to keep an eye out for product safety, especially if you’re shopping for little ones.
Credit: TikTok
Have you visited Panda Mart yet, or are you planning to check it out? What’s your favourite discount store find? Share your thoughts and shopping tips in the comments below.
Read more: ‘People were being so disgusting’: Chaos erupts at discount store opening
The discount megastore, which has been described as 'Temu in real life', has just opened its second Australian location, and it’s already causing a stir among bargain hunters and curious shoppers alike.
Panda Mart’s new home is an enormous 8,300-square-metre warehouse in Preston, Melbourne—once a Bunnings, now a treasure trove of everything from $1.50 mugs to $40 suitcases.
The store’s 'soft launch' this week is just the beginning. Its grand opening is set for Friday, 12 September, and it promises 20 per cent off more than 50,000 products across its Preston and Cranbourne stores.
If you love a good deal (and who doesn’t these days?), it might be time to dust off your shopping trolley and limber up for some serious bargain hunting.
Panda Mart, called ‘Temu in real life’, has quickly grown in Melbourne with two massive stores offering over 50,000 discounted items. Credit: Facebook
Panda Mart isn’t just another two-dollar shop. Founded in South Africa over a decade ago, the company has more than 100 superstores across New Zealand, South America, the US, and Africa.
Its shelves are stacked with over 53,000 products—think homewares, kitchen gadgets, furniture, cleaning supplies, gym equipment, and more.
Many items are sourced directly from China’s massive wholesale markets, which explains the 'real-life Temu' nickname that’s been making the rounds on social media.
The appeal is obvious: why wait weeks for a parcel from overseas when you can walk into a warehouse and walk out with your haul the same day?
As Professor Gary Mortimer from QUT points out, 'The ability to walk into a store like Panda Mart and grab what you want is an attractive proposition for consumers.
There’s also the opportunity to physically touch, feel, and examine the quality of the product before you make a purchase.'
And let’s be honest, who among us hasn’t been disappointed by a dodgy online buy that looked nothing like the photo?
One of the joys of shopping in a place like Panda Mart is the thrill of the unexpected.
Online, you have to know what you’re looking for, scrolling through endless pages.
Physical stores encourage those delightful impulse purchases, and Panda Mart’s sheer scale means there’s always something new to discover.
Australia is no stranger to discount retailers—The Reject Shop, Cheap as Chips, and countless independent variety stores have been staples for years.
But Panda Mart is playing a different game. Its warehouse-sized stores dwarf the competition, and its product range and price points are designed to compete not just with other discount shops, but with the likes of Kmart and BIG W.
Marketing expert Carmel Zein believes Panda Mart is shaking up the market: 'They’re not just going after the two-dollar shop niche, they’re positioning themselves right up against household names. What makes them disruptive is their ability to bring that Temu-style product range and price point into a physical retail setting.'
In other words, it’s not just about cheap stuff—it’s about giving shoppers the same products as the big brands, minus the markup.
Not everyone is convinced, though. Professor Mortimer argues that Panda Mart sits below the likes of Kmart and BIG W, and is more in line with Silly Solly’s and other third-tier variety stores.
Whether Panda Mart can truly disrupt the market or will settle into a niche remains to be seen—but one thing’s for sure, it’s got people talking.
Of course, with ultra-low prices comes a word of warning. Earlier this year, Consumer Affairs Victoria raided Panda Mart’s Cranbourne store, confiscating thousands of unsafe products—including toys with unsecured button batteries and cosmetics that didn’t meet safety standards.
Authorities reminded shoppers that while bargains are great, safety should never be compromised—especially when it comes to products for children.
'Most reasonable consumers will see these warnings about safety and will probably be more cautious, particularly when it comes to children’s products,' says Professor Mortimer. But as Carmel Zein points out, 'affordability often does trump safety in the discount shopping space.'
So why did Panda Mart choose Melbourne for its Australian debut? According to Zein, the city’s diverse and experimental shoppers are less brand-obsessed and more open to alternatives.
It’s the perfect testing ground before a potential nationwide rollout. And with two massive sites already secured—one a former Masters, the other a former Bunnings—Panda Mart is clearly thinking big.
Expansion beyond Melbourne will depend on finding suitable locations (giant empty warehouses don’t grow on trees, after all).
There’s talk of moving into former BIG W sites or even airport retail areas, but for now, Melburnians are the lucky ones with front-row seats to the Panda Mart phenomenon.
Social media has played a huge role, with shoppers eager to share their hauls and 'hacks' for getting the best deals.
As Zein puts it, 'It’s not just about cheap goods, it’s about consumers feeling like they’ve ‘hacked the system’ by getting what they need without overpaying for the label.'
But will the hype last? Mortimer predicts that the novelty will wear off as more stores open, but for now, Panda Mart is riding a wave of excitement—and giving Aussie shoppers a new way to hunt for bargains.
If you love a good rummage, enjoy the thrill of a bargain, or just want to see what all the fuss is about, Panda Mart is definitely worth a look.
Just remember to keep an eye out for product safety, especially if you’re shopping for little ones.
Credit: TikTok
Read more: ‘People were being so disgusting’: Chaos erupts at discount store opening
