Following a stabbing incident involving a staff member at a Coles supermarket in Ipswich, the supermarket chain has announced it will no longer sell knives in its stores across Australia. The decision comes as a response to an increasing number of violent incidents in retail settings nationwide. Coles has stated that the safety of its employees and customers is its top priority and that this withdrawal is a precautionary measure while they conduct a review.
Coles will cease selling knives in its supermarkets nationwide following an incident in which a staff member was stabbed. The 63-year-old worker was attacked while restocking refrigerators at the Yamanto Central shopping centre in Ipswich, near Brisbane, on Monday. A 13-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder, accused of using a knife purchased from the store to carry out the attack.
In a statement, Coles said the decision to remove knives from its shelves was prompted by a rise in aggression and violence in retail settings across Australia. 'Coles has made the decision to withdraw its range of kitchen knives for sale from supermarkets across Australia,' the supermarket giant said. 'SMEG kitchen knives will still be available for redemption at our service desk, until January 21. 'Coles complies with all legislation regarding the sale of kitchen knives, and this withdrawal is being taken out of an abundance of caution as we conduct a review. 'The safety of our team members and customers is our number one priority across all aspects of our business.' Woolworths, Australia's largest supermarket chain, temporarily removed all knives from sale following a similar incident in Melbourne in 2021. The sale of knives resumed in a select number of Woolworths stores from 2022. 'Our thoughts are with the Coles team member and their family at this tragic time,' Woolworths said. 'There is no place for violence like this anywhere in our community, and all retail workers deserve the right to a safe and respectful workplace.' Woolworths added that it has packaging protocols which ensure its range of kitchen knives are sold in high-grade, clamshell packaging. 'We also have 350 stores across the country where the decision was made to remove knives from sale,' it said. 'We’re committed to continue partnering with government, police and industry bodies to safeguard our teams and customers from violence and aggression in our stores.'The Coles Yamanto store reopened on Tuesday with increased security measures in place. Coles told 7NEWS.com.au that the woman's family and colleagues had been offered counselling and support. 'Our thoughts are with our store team member and their family after the distressing incident that occurred on Monday,' Coles said. 'We are committed to providing them with support, as well as their colleagues who are being offered counselling during this difficult time. 'The safety of our customers and team members is our number one priority.' The Australian Retailers Association has been contacted for comment
Coles Knives Stabbing Supermarket Safety
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Coles to stop selling kitchen knives after Queensland stabbingColes will pull knives from its shelves nationwide in the wake of Monday’s supermarket stabbing, and four months after Queensland banned knife sales to minors.
Read more »
Coles worker allegedly sexually assaulted teen at Bondi WestfieldThe accused, who is on a student visa, allegedly attacked a 15-year-old girl in full view of CCTV cameras at the busy shopping mall.
Read more »
Australian billionaire ‘Lambo Guy’ Adrian Portelli to hand out vouchers to Coles shoppers in Palmerston7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Coles worker allegedly sexually assaulted teenager inside popular WestfieldA Coles supermarket employee has been charged over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl inside a Westfield shopping centre in Sydney's eastern suburbs last week.
Read more »
Coles Withdraws Kitchen Knives After Queensland Staff StabbingColes is withdrawing all kitchen knives from its Australian supermarkets following an attack on a staff member in Queensland. A teenager allegedly obtained a knife from a Coles store and stabbed a 63-year-old worker in Ipswich. The company cited increased aggression and violence in stores as the reason for the withdrawal, emphasizing the safety of its staff and customers.
Read more »
Teenager Charged With Attempted Murder of Coles WorkerA 13-year-old boy is facing court in Australia charged with the attempted murder of a 63-year-old Coles worker. Police allege the teen stabbed the woman in the back at a supermarket in Ipswich before fleeing. The woman remains in critical but stable condition. The incident has sparked condemnation from Queensland authorities and calls for increased safety measures.
Read more »