Aussies flock to Bunnings at 6am as Bluey gnomes back on shelves

News.com.au

3 days ago

Bunnings stores across the country have been flooded with shoppers at 6am after the retailer brought back a cult-item that Aussies are seemingly very desperate to own.
The hardware chain has once again transformed stores in Australia and New Zealand into 'Hammerbarn', a fictional DIY store featured in the popular childrens TV show, Bluey.
As well as rebranding shop fronts and hosting Bluey -themed kids DIY workshops and scavenger hunts, Bunnings is selling a limited-edition product range – including the garden gnomes based on the show's characters which sparked a mad frenzy last year.
However, the $19 figurines – dubbed 'husbands' in one Bluey episode – are already out of stock in some Bunnings stores, leaving many customers disappointed.
'Went at 6am and it was a fight to get one,' reported one shopper on Facebook.
'There was a rush at 6am in Kirrawee, they are all gone now,' another added.
As one commented: 'I missed out last year, am going to try my luck later.'
'I hope you've got plenty of stock of 'husbands'. Last time, there were wails and tears of disappointment when tiny customers asked the Bunnings staff to help them 'find a husband' and they had sold out,' declared someone else.
Bunnings said that in order to avoid customers bulk-buying the limited edition product, it had introduced a purchase limit of 4 gnomes per customer.
But it appears to have done little to stop those hoping to cash-in on the item's popularity, with many of the gnomes already appearing on eBay with asking prices as high as $1000.
This time around there are 7 different characters available, including 3 new additions – Gerald and Bride and Groom Gnomes, which Bunnings said it was 'expecting to be hot property'.
'It's clear how much fans connect with the show given how quickly last year's Bluey gnomes flew off the shelves,' Justine Mills, Bunnings General Manager Marketing, said.
'We know they will be eager to build on their collections, and we're excited to see how customers respond to our new range and in-store activities.'
Other items available in the beloved collaboration include Hammerbarn branded socks, key rings, bucket hats and kiddo's tote bags that are available across all stores, while stock lasts.
While some haven't been lucky enough to snag a 'new husband', a nickname earned after a scene showing Bingo picking up a garden gnome in Hammerbarn and declaring the figurine her future betrothed, those who have aren't shy in sharing their joy online.
'Secured some goodies this morning,' one wrote on a video shared by Bunnings.
'Got myself a 'new husband' at Bunnings this morning,' bragged another.
As one added: 'So excited, I finally got the Bluey Hammerbarn gnomes from Bunnings, couldn't believe when I saw that they were back.'
Others warned the highly-sought after figurines were 'extremely delicate', urging others to be careful.
'I wish they were proper concrete gnomes, they're so fragile,' one shared.
'Dropped mine in the carpark and it shattered into a million pieces,' warned another, alongside a photo of the 'devastating' scene.