Retailer’s products unsafe

Rattles, trumpets and wind-up snakes are some of the toys a budget retailer has been found guilty of selling with choking hazards.

The chain, which operates about 60 outlets around the country, was found guilty in the Auckland District Court on 17 charges under the Fair Trading Act, and will be sentenced in October.

Judge Rob Ronayne found 123 Mart sold about 9000 of seven types of toys with small parts that were choking hazards for young children.

After the Commerce Commission charged 123 Mart last year, the retailer chose a defended hearing on 22 charges, and five charges were dismissed.

123 Mart had already pleaded guilty to five charges that it sold more than 1200 items of children’s sleeping pants that did not have the required fire danger labels, and more than 11,000 items of clothing that failed to comply with labelling requirements.

The retailer was given compliance advice by the consumer watchdog in 2012, and warned in 2013. Charges were laid in May 2016 and additional charges were laid in August 2016 after the third investigation.

123 Mart specialises in low-cost consumer products including toys, costumes and cosmetics.

It opened in New Zealand in 1995 under Joseph Choi and has shops under four different brands, including The 123 Mart, Dollar Store 123, King Dollar Store and Max!out.

It has withdrawn all the toys and clothing from sale and refunds are available from The 123 Mart for returned items. The commission recommended not using the products.