Mayhem as hundreds of Aussie shoppers line up outside new store at 1am: ‘Extremely disappointed’

Hundreds of shoppers flocked to a new store in Sydney, with many lining up at Westfield from 1am – six hours before the doors even opened. 

Videos have emerged on social media showing eager customers running to the Glassons Miranda Flagship store in the early hours of Saturday.

Shoppers were seen racing up escalators to get to the front of the queue in what many described as a ‘stampede’, with the retailer giving away $400 gift vouchers to the first 20 people. 

The store was officially opened at 7am, with employees giving out many other perks – including early access to a new swim collection, free gift boxes to the next 150 people in line, exclusive discounts and free pastries, coffee and flowers.

However, the opening turned into chaos with some customers claiming they were ‘extremely disappointed by how poorly the event was organised’.

‘I arrived before 6am and waited in line at the main entrance. Despite the large number of customers who had arrived early, there was no clear system for organising the queue or communicating where people were supposed to stand,’ one shared.

‘The way it was handled was absolutely atrocious… Security only opened one door so girls were pushing aggressively and I ended up being slammed into a wall and pushed to the ground along with many others,’ another claimed.

One shopper shared her experience in a video, claiming: ‘Broken wrists… people falling down stairs… I think there needs to be a better system to these things. Never again.’

She jokingly compared the event to a ‘battlefield out there.’ 

‘It was brutal out there,’ she said. 

‘We survived the Glassons Miranda Grand Opening… just.’

Another group of friends were up before 4am to arrive at Westfield, making them second in the queue.

However, things took a turn when other shoppers pushed past the group – while others were injured after being ‘trampled’.

‘People’s shoes fell off trying to get up the stairs… So many had been injured on the escalators, being pushed by others,’ the shopper recalled.

Daily Mail has contacted Glassons for comment. 

Others who waited in line described the opening as the ‘most chaotic event’.

‘OMG that wait was not for the weak,’ another shared.

‘The most chaotic experience ever. I was shoved into the wall and people were swearing and yelling at each other. Absolutely Awful,’ one claimed.

‘The grand opening event was handled poorly. I chose to leave early because I no longer felt safe. There was no clear line system or process in place for people who had arrived early which created confusion and frustration. The experience was disappointing,’ another revealed.

Meanwhile, loyal customers said it was ‘worth the wait’. 

The retailer had been promoting the new store in the days leading up to the opening, with many saying they couldn’t wait to attend.

Shoppers were given a teaser of the freebies they were expecting on the day – including gift vouchers worth up to $400.

‘This is INSANE! What a pack,’ one excited customer said. 

‘Omg yes! This is so lovely,’ another shared.

‘I can’t wait,’ one added.