Coles will stop selling kitchen knives nationwide after a staff member was stabbed by a 13-year-old boy in Queensland.
The 63-year-old Coles worker was stabbed at a shopping centre near Warwick Road in Yamanto, Ipswich about 5.25pm on Monday.
Coles said in a statement today that they would stop the sale of kitchen knives in all stores across the country following the attack.
“Coles has made the decision to withdraw its range of kitchen knives for sale from supermarkets across Australia,” a spokesperson for the retailer told nine.com.au.
“SMEG kitchen knives will still be available for redemption at our service desk, until 21 January.
“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.”
The knives have seemingly already disappeared from Coles stores, with nine.com.au unable to find any on display.
Smeg knives were on display and available for sale in sealed packaging.
Woolworths told 9News that 350 of their stores across the country already did not sell knives after an attack on a staff member in Brunswick, Victoria in 2021.
“Our thoughts are with the Coles team member and their family at this tragic time,” a spokesperson for Woolworths said in a statement to nine.com.au.
“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.”
“We have packaging protocols in place to ensure the range of kitchen knives we sell are housed in high-grade, clamshell packaging.
“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.”
A 13-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder in relation to the stabbing.
It’s understood the woman remains in a critical but stable condition today.
