Principal takes action after reports of Coles Little Shop thefts
Primary school students obsessed with Coles Little Shop collectables are being accused of stealing to obtain the sought-after miniature items.
One Victorian primary school has asked children and their parents to leave the items at home in a bid to stop them being lost or stolen.
Principal of Pascoe Vale Primary School, Peter Adams, labelled the popular supermarket promotion “genius and an absolute disgrace”.
“We’ve had several who say theirs have been stolen or lost and we can’t tell which one, which causes angst for parents,” he told the Herald Sun.
“This is why we suggest that, like mobile phones or other valuables, they’re not taken to school as we can’t take responsibility for them.
“We’re trying to teach kids to go outside and play and get dirty, and now we’ve turned them into little shoppers,” he said.
In the school newsletter, Mr Adams recommended that parents should “not allow children to bring them to school at all”.
Primary schools around the country have been caught up in the Little Shop hysteria, with some asking parents to bring in any extra pieces they may have.
Mooroopna Primary School in Victoria wrote on their Facebook page that they were using the toys for numeracy activities.
Little Shop swap days at schools
Creswick and Whittlesea primary schools, also in Vic, are teaching kids maths with the mini items, which include TimTams, Vegemite, Vanish laundry powder and Nutella.
Other schools across all states have organised swap days for students, where they can bring along double-ups and exchange them for others.
Wildlings Forest School, a nature program for young children based on the Sunshine Coast, was one educational institution rejecting the craze.
“The big supermarkets need to do better but they won’t unless we change our habits,” the school wrote online.
“Please think twice before supporting more throw away plastic. Our kids have enough plastic toys!”
The collectables have produced a cult-like following in young children and their parents since being launched by Coles in July.
The supermarket giant received backlash over the items, which were released just days after announcing a ban on single-use plastic bags.
The uproar wasn’t enough to stop Coles marking a recent rise in their profits.
For every $30 transaction, one mini item is earned. There are 30 unique collectables to find, plus a rare bonus ‘Big Red Hand’ which gives the finder a $100 Coles gift card.
Some complete sets of collectables have been selling online for up to $1000.
