Panda Mart has been ordered to shut its Cranbourne and Preston outlets for a second time after the Supreme Court of Victoria ruled the discount retailer must address ongoing product safety failures.
Each store must stop trading for 3 business days while Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) conducts comprehensive audits of both outlets to ensure products comply with Australia's product safety laws and regulations.
Panda Mart was also ordered to notify customers of the shutdown through its website, social media and shop fronts.
The retailer must also establish and implement a compliance program including staff training, product tracking, auditing and testing processes. Panda Mart has also been ordered to report to CAV every 6 months for the next 3 years, to demonstrate the program is being effectively maintained.
CAV has taken sustained enforcement action against Panda Mart over the past 2 years in response to repeated product safety concerns. These include the sale of non-compliant toys containing button batteries that pose a serious risk to children, as well as other products that failed to meet mandatory warning and labelling requirements.
CAV Director Nicole Rich said the regulator remains focused on protecting consumers.
‘While it is positive that Panda Mart is taking corrective steps, it is disappointing that it has taken this long, given the potential risk to consumers and CAV’s earlier interventions,’ Rich said.
‘We want Victorians to have confidence they can shop for affordable items safely. Retailers must act promptly when product safety concerns are identified. We’ll continue to pursue those that don’t.
‘As this outcome demonstrates, businesses who put the public at risk selling dangerous items face not just the prospect of legal action, but considerable financial and reputational cost.’
Panda Mart will close its Cranbourne store from 9 to 11 November and its Preston store from 16 to 18 November.
Panda Mart Cranbourne is also facing criminal charges in the County Court, scheduled to be heard in April 2027.
Learn more about product safety.