A Mother’s Day display at one Woolworths store has prompted an intense reaction on social media.
A Woolies shopper shared the image on Reddit, pointing out that the range of Mother’s Day gifts on offer appeared to include several controversial items.
Along from a selection of Mother’s Day-inspired stuffed toys, slippers and mugs, there is a range of bulk cleaning buys and cooking utensils on offer.
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A closer look at the image shows that large containers of Palmolive dishwashing liquid and Cold Power laundry detergent have been placed next to the pink gifts.
Bulk packs of dishwashing tablets and $50 woks also appeared to be included on the shelf alongside the Mother’s Day display.
“Go on, spoil your mum on Mother’s Day!” the Reddit user who shared the image wrote.
“I don’t even know where to start on this clusterf*** of fail.”
Many were outraged by the display.
“Because every mum wants her image to be reduced to that of primary housekeeper and collector of cheap, pink plushies,” one said.
Another wrote: “No no, nothing quite says ‘I love you mum’ like bulk liquid Cold Power. If it was Omo, then it would just be insensitive.”
A third added: “What adult woman would want a fluffy pink soft toy. WTF do they think we are, toddlers?”
However, many argued that it was likely that the cleaning products weren’t placed with the Mother’s Day buys intentionally.
It’s believed the bulk cleaning buys — which recently went on sale as part of a Woolworths promotion – had likely been placed next to the Mother’s Day range as it was the only area with spare space.
“The stuff on the left is just leftover from an allocation all stores got a few weeks back. ‘Bulk’ version of stock Woolworths sells with a ‘while stocks last’ ticket price,” one social media user, believed to be a Woolworths employee, said.
“Not only do stores often get given more stock than they need, but they’ve got limited promotional space and when various events are being hammered out, it leads to weird displays like this as staff try and find places to put everything.”
‘We don’t want any of this’
While some were alarmed by the display, many others argued that they’d rather receive bulk cleaning buys that the Mother’s Day gifts on offer.
“Honestly, buy me everyday consumables over a giant burden of a mass produced teddy bear every day of the week,” one said.
“Do I have to keep that thing until I die? Or eventually have to feel bad for getting rid of the impulse buy you’ve been conditioned to give me on a particular day?
“Laundry liquid/dishwashing powder and a small card would be amazing. I can keep a card but I can’t keep that monstrosity of a bear.”
Another said: “I’d rather have the dishwasher tablets than any pink bullshit.”
A third wrote: “Considering the price of them these days I’ll happily accept a gift of dishwashing tablets. I mean it’s free dishwashing tablets.”
One more responded: “Public service announcement: we don’t want any of this s***!”
Added another: “I get my parents dishwasher tablets or laundry powder etc. every mother’s day/father’s day. It started off as a joke gift, so meets the narrow niche of running joke/useful gift.”
The post also lead to many discussing what their ultimate Mother’s Day gift would be.
“Asked mum what she wants, and she said ‘”if everyone could f*** off and leave me alone for ten minutes that’d be lovely darl. She’s 60,” one Reddit user said.
Another agreed, saying: “As a single mum I feel this in my bones.”
A third said: “I would like a card from my child, a (nice) meal I don’t have to cook, and a couple of hours to myself to read a book or something. That’s all, thanks.”