Latest news with #Beenleigh
News.com.au
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Honestly a bargain': The Reject Shop is selling a popular item for $6
A popular item loved by both adults and kids has been spotted in a budget retailer – and the affordable price tag has everyone talking. Squishmallows — a brand of soft, plush toys known for its 'marshmallow-like' texture — have landed at The Reject Shop and are selling for just $6. The retailer confirmed on Instagram that the products were not a dupe, saying: 'Don't pay $15 elsewhere for these cuddly characters – our price: just $6!! 'These will be snapped up quickly. Run, don't walk!' Fans were stunned by the fact that Squishmallows had hit the shelves at the discount variety store chain for such a low price. 'I saw these today and can confirm – they're REAL,' one social media user said. 'Great bargain,' another commented. One person, who claimed to work at the retailer, said they had a customer buy 21 of the toys, calling it a 'steal'. 'Of course I see this after my The Reject Shop closes down,' one lamented. Another commented: 'I got three of them for my girls from Beenleigh The Reject Shop. Pretty sure they are real feels the same as the real ones.' 'You're feeding my addiction,' one added. Another said: 'Honestly a bargain! I might need that frog.' 'Well I guess my cat needs a new one now, omg this is amazing,' one person wrote. 'Spreading childhood joy to Aussies' A spokesperson for The Reject Shop said the range has proven wildly popular. 'With nostalgia trends on the rise, adults are embracing their inner child with kids toys more and more. Our Squishmallow range is giving kids, and adults alike, the chance to get their hands on these soft fuzzy friends for a fraction of the price they're seeing in other retailers,' the spokesperson said. 'At $6 each, The Reject Shop believes in spreading childhood joy to Australians at an accessible price, making birthdays, gifts and bed decor an affordable option for customers nationwide. 'The Reject Shop customers are as excited about the Squishmallows as they have been for our rubber duckies, bringing fun, affordable products for all ages.' The Reject Shop isn't the only brand cashing in on the Squishmallows love, with Macca's announcing a mini range as part of its Happy Meal toy collection. The brand has 14 characters available with expressions that were exclusive to the fast food chain. These include Rossi, the purple cheetah with pink spots, and Charles, the winking green pickle. But, there are even new characters who are debuted as part of the Macca's range, including Halley, the intergalactic axolotl, and Theotto, a monster with dragon wings. Theotto is only available in Australia and New Zealand. Gerhard Runken, the executive vice president of brand and marketing for the company that makes Squishmallows, said: 'Our first McDonald's Happy Meal collaboration received such a massive global response that we're bringing it to Australia for the very first time. 'We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate our fans than with a Happy Meal featuring character favourites with unique, never-before-seen happy expressions and the debut of our newest Squishmallow Squad member Halley, making the search exciting as ever for fans worldwide.' The 'kidult' trend It's no surprise that retailers such as Macca's and The Reject Shop are touting Squishmallows as the next big thing, given the rise in popularity among kids, teens and adults alike. The 'kidult' trend — items designed for kids but popular with all ages — has taken off in recent months. Footage has shown Aussies lining up at 3am for Labubus, a furry plushie featuring a bizarre grin and sharp teeth. The cult item has become the ultimate status-boosting accessory after celebrities such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa were pictured showing off their own dolls. Designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, the product is sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart following a collaboration with Lung on his story series book The Monsters, released in 2015. Aussies were first able to get hold of the now-viral toy following Pop Mart's arrival Down Under in mid-2023. Fast-forward two years, and there are now 11 Pop Mart stores in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, all of which regularly draw huge crowds with the hopes of snagging an in-demand plushie. But, as one recent video filmed in Melbourne shows, it's not children who are frantic for the Labubu – it's adults. Jellycats are having a moment A similar item — Jellycats — has also been a hit item with all ages. The more traditional stuffed animals (bunnies and bears in particular) have emerged as wildly popular gifts for newborns in recent years. But these days, the designs are nothing short of whimsical, fantastical and even food-orientated. This is where the food-themed experiences come in. Customers can nab soft toys that look good enough to eat, such as Birthday Cake, Fran Pancakes, Egglatine Egg On Toast, Go To Coffee or ab Irresistible Chocolate Ice Cream, among others. David Jones, one of Australia's largest sellers of Jelly Cats, told 'We've seen strong demand for the brand and an increase in sales in not only their iconic bunny which they are best known for but also more niche/unique styles. 'There has also been a noticeable shift in the consumer who is buying this product, traditionally bought for children we have seen demand from Gen Z thanks to social media driving the trend among this group.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Reject Shop is now selling a hugely popular item for the price of a large coffee: 'Parents, run!'
Shoppers are rushing to The Reject Shop after spotting a major bargain: authentic Squishmallows for just $6. The cult-favourite plush toys, which typically retail for $15 or more at department stores, have quietly landed in select Reject Shop locations across the country, prompting a frenzy from fans eager to grab the cuddly creatures on a budget. 'Why pay $15 for Squishmallows when you can get them for $6 at The Reject Shop?' one savvy content creator posted online, alongside footage of a shelf full of the ultra-soft toys. Squishmallows, known for their marshmallow-like texture and ultra-huggable filling, have developed a massive following among children, teens and even adults. With hundreds of designs - from frogs and butterflies to food-themed creatures – each Squishmallow comes with a name and backstory, making them collectible as well as comforting. The toys first surged in popularity on TikTok during lockdowns, with fans filming 'Squish hunts' in-store and showing off growing collections. Their appeal has often been compared to Jellycat plush toys, another popular brand known for its soft textures and high price point - though Jellycats tend to target a more luxury, boutique audience. Now, fans are flocking to The Reject Shop to score the budget-friendly toys. 'I got three of them for my girls from Beenleigh Reject Shop,' one mum wrote. 'Honestly a bargain! I might need that frog,' another shopper said. 'I bought six today,' one fan simply admitted. Others joked about their timing: 'Of course I see this after my Reject Shop closes down.' The surprise drop appears to include a variety of characters, with many confirming purchases of butterflies, frogs, and cats. While The Reject Shop hasn't officially confirmed the full range or whether the plushies are a permanent addition, demand is already surging online - and stock is moving fast. So if you've got a Squishmallow-lover at home (or just need one for yourself), it might be time for a quick dash to your local store. The The Reject Shop isn't the only Aussie outlet buying into the trend. Squishmallows were also recently announced as the latest toy addition in McDonald's Australia Happy Meals. The fast-food giant confirmed in an announcement in May that their signature kid's meal is 'about to get even happier with the launch of Squishmallows Happy Meals'. In huge news for fans of the toy collectibles, one of the 14 mini plushie characters in the Macca's Happy Meals range will be a world-first exclusive. The new Squishmallows Squad character set to debut is Halley, the Intergalactic Axolotl. Among the new collection are also two characters that will only be available in Australia and New Zealand: Avery, the green and brown mallard duck and Theotto, the Cthulhu monster with dragon wings. Collectors will be hoping to get their hands on all 14 Macca's Happy Meals Squishmallows characters, with some of the classic characters included in the collection set to feature exclusive new expressions. Among the collection are perennial favourite characters Rossi, the purple cheetah with pink spots and Charles, the winking green pickle with a moustache. McDonald's Australia Marketing Director of Menu and Brand Amanda Nakad said they were excited to have secured a collaboration with the 'squishable plushies [that] are all the rage right now'. 'This limited-time Happy Meal brings a taste of the viral toy sensation to Macca's, with the first McDonald's Squishmallows Squad,' Amanda said. 'Whether you're joining the hunt to collect them all or just looking for a dose of happiness, there's a Squishmallow for every kind of fan with this new Happy Meal.' Squishmallows Happy Meals will be available with a choice of 3 or 6-piece chicken mcnuggets, a hamburger, cheeseburger or grilled chicken snack wrap. They're also served with a side of small fries or apple slices and a small drink. Each of the Macca's Happy Meals Squishmallows will also come with a scannable code to unlock an exclusive digital game featuring the lovable characters. Like Beanie Babies did decades earlier, Squishmallows attract an enthusiastic community of collectors, particularly since certain exclusive characters are available in limited numbers or sizes. One of the rarest Squishmallows is Jack the Black Cat, which only has 500 in circulation. Rare and in-demand Squishmallows attract higher prices and are often re-sold online. There are numerous social media videos of Squishmallows collectors showcasing their toy haul. Celebrities like Charli D'Amelio and Lady Gaga are also reportedly amongst those that collect limited edition Squishmallows.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Daily Mail
TikTok-famous mum breaks down in court as she reveals what really funded her luxurious lifestyle
A TikTok mum broke down as a court heard she used stolen money to fund her lavish lifestyle. Raven Bianca Buck, 26, will spend no time behind bars, despite pleading guilty to one count of money laundering in Queensland's Beenleigh District Court on Thursday. The court heard the young mother's then-boyfriend stole $151,000 from the Australian Taxation Office by claiming GST on false business activity statements. Their scheme was stopped after more than $700,000 worth of false refunds were denied by the ATO. Buck, who has 16,500 TikTok followers, received more than $48,000 from the scheme in 13 bank transfers over a five month period in 2022. She withdrew at least $25,000 of the stolen funds in cash - and spent much of the money on a flashy car and expensive jewellery in just one day. 'It's known that she purchased over $6,000 worth of jewellery, as well as placed about $10,000 towards a Mercedes-Benz, which was her primary vehicle,' Crown prosecutor Lauren Hall told the court the Courier Mail reported. 'Conversations revealed that, in her words, that he was doing dodgy sh*t and she didn't ask him to be a criminal, but he was. Raven Bianca Buck (pictured) used money scammed from the ATO to buy a Mercedes-Benz and $6,000 worth of jewellery in one day Buck pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering in Beenleigh District Court (pictured) 'She was away overseas at the time of a search warrant and had primary knowledge about the investigation, and her mobile phone was wiped.' The court also heard Buck had struggled with mental health issues and was in an abusive relationship with her ex. She has spent the last three years in a steady job to provide as a single mother. Buck was seen weeping as her circumstances were aired to the courtroom. At one point, Judge Amanda McDonnell paused the proceedings to offer her a tissue. Judge McDonnell ultimately reduced Buck's sentence as she was a young offender with limited criminal history. She also noted that Buck pleaded guilty to her crimes early in the legal process. 'You're to be sentenced on the basis that you were aware that there was a substantial risk,' Judge McDonnell said. Buck (pictured) was handed an 18-month suspended sentence with the judge noting her limited criminal history and early admission of guilt 'It was therefore unjustifiable for you to spend the money knowing there was a risk it was tainted property that you recklessly engaged in money laundering.' Buck received a 18 month suspended . She refused to comment on the verdict as she left the court.
