Discount retailer’s products unsafe

A budget retailer has been found guilty of selling potentially dangerous toys including rattles, trumpets and wind-up snakes.

The 123 Mart Ltd, which operates about 60 outlets around the country, was found guilty 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 brought the charges last year, the retailer chose a defended hearing on 22 of them, and five were dismissed.

123 Mart had already admitted five counts of selling 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It has withdrawn all the toys and clothing from sale and refunds are available from The 123 Mart for the toys and clothing if returned.