If you’ve wandered into your local retail store recently, you may have noticed something that made you pause.
For one Australian shopper, what she saw during a routine trip was so striking, she decided to share it—and in doing so, sparked a broader conversation about the current state of retail spaces and the hardworking people behind them.
What began as a simple outing quickly turned into something much more eye-opening.
A messy scene that tells a bigger story
Expecting the usual bustle of shoppers and neatly stacked items, the woman was confronted instead by disarray.
Shoes scattered across the floor, clothes tossed on hangers and shelves without care, and a children’s section buried in garments that seemed abandoned rather than misplaced.
What stood out most, however, wasn’t just the mess—it was the barricades staff had been forced to set up.
Not your typical display dividers, but the sort normally reserved for wet floors, all placed to prevent customers from tripping over the growing chaos.
‘This video is for all the poor Kmart staff,’ she said in her recording, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and sympathy.
‘I can’t believe the state of the store tonight, and that is not a reflection of you—that’s a reflection of a lot of the people who are coming into this store.’
A cry for basic decency
While the popular department store may be known for budget-friendly finds, the shopper reminded others that this is no excuse for poor behaviour.
‘It’s not a rummage bin,’ she added, pleading for customers to show respect and simply return items to where they belong.
The video revealed piles of garments, empty hangers hanging from racks and a general air of disorder that would overwhelm even the most experienced retail assistant.
After speaking to staff, she was told that this isn’t unusual. ‘It’s like this every night,’ they admitted.
The barricades aren’t a one-time measure—they’re a regular part of trying to maintain safety. ‘We just need to do a bit better,’ she urged viewers.
‘Kmart staff, I’m really sorry that you just have to deal with us grubs who just come in and think we can just throw everything over the floor. Absolutely appalling.’
The retail worker experience
The video quickly gained traction on social media, with dozens of comments from both current and former retail workers echoing her concerns.
‘I used to work for Kmart. Yes, the customers being like this doesn’t help, but it’s also because Kmart is so understaffed. They expect one person to do five people’s jobs, and I think it’s got to the point that staff don’t even care anymore—they are just trying to survive,’ wrote one commenter.
Another chimed in: ‘As a Kmart worker who works in fitting rooms, every single shift I’m expected to do fitting rooms as well as all the clothing returns… so basically two people’s jobs for one wage. It’s ridiculous. They expect me to keep fitting rooms tidy and clean and get everything done, while also running rails.’
It’s not just one store
What’s happening at this particular store seems to be part of a bigger issue.
Retail staff across the country are reporting similar conditions—short-staffed, under pressure, and trying to keep up with a mess left by increasingly indifferent shoppers.
A Kmart spokesperson responded: ‘At Kmart we take pride in creating stores that both our customers and team members enjoy spending time in. This particular store is not up to the standards we or our customers expect when they come to shop with us, so we are working now with our store team to ensure we do meet those standards moving forward.’
Different suburbs, different stories
It’s important to note that not all stores are facing the same challenges. Some viewers were quick to mention that their local Kmart is always in good shape.
‘Thank god my Kmart is never like this. I’d probably quit if it was always like this,’ one person wrote.
Another shared: ‘It’s sadly the area and demographic. I’ve been to Kmart stores in higher-income areas and when compared to my local, the difference is astonishing. Very different shopping experience.’
Not a one-time headline
This isn’t the first time a messy retail environment has made headlines.
Just last week, footage from a Kmart in Parramatta went viral, showing the shoe section in what many labelled a ‘nightmare’ state.
The caption read: ‘One wrong step and you’re buried in $7 boots,’ as the video showed shoes piled so high, the aisle was barely walkable.
What can be done?
The problem may be bigger than one store—but that doesn’t mean it’s unsolvable.
Shoppers need to remember that retail workers aren’t invisible. They are real people, doing their best under demanding conditions.
Retailers, in turn, must ensure their teams are adequately staffed and supported, especially during peak hours.
Video Credit: @themumway_ / TikTok
For those of us who recall a time when shopping was more civilised, this decline can feel disheartening. But perhaps this viral video will inspire more than just outrage.
Maybe it will remind us all that common courtesy is still part of a positive shopping experience.
Your turn: Have you noticed a change in your local store?
While the video has sparked a wave of responses from both shoppers and retail workers, it has also opened up a broader conversation about shared responsibility in public spaces.
Whether it’s a matter of staffing levels, shifting social norms, or simple courtesy, the state of our stores reflects more than just untidy aisles—it reveals something about how we treat each other in everyday settings.
Have you spotted this kind of disorder while out shopping? Are you a retail worker who wants to share what it’s really like on the ground? Or perhaps you’ve got suggestions on how we can all contribute to keeping our local stores clean and safe?
We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments—because a respectful shopping experience benefits everyone.
Also read: Chaos in Kmart stores: Who is to blame?
Some people just treat things the same when out as they do at home. There are some very messy homes out there.