BREAKING NEWS: The Warehouse / Noel Leeming Pull all R18 Stock

[LordCrumb]

The Warehouse has announced it will take all R18 games and DVDs off its shelves at The Warehouse and Noel Leeming stores to reinforce its "family-friendly values".

Chief executive Mark Powell said the recently released Grand Theft Auto V, which contains graphic sex scenes and violence towards women from a first person perspective, had acted as a catalyst for its decision.

"We considered simply de-ranging this product, however that would require us to judge the merits of every R18 product on an ongoing basis, which we are not in a position to do, nor do we see as our role."

Powell said the decision was driven by increasing customer, community and team member feedback and he believed parents would receive it positively.

"It's simply the right thing to do for our brand," he said.

He said it would take around 48 hours to get rid of all R18 censored games and DVDs across the two retailers.

Any customer purchases already undertaken, for example online, would be honoured.

What the utter ****?

That's it, i'm done buying ANYTHING from them now.

[L-Rouge]

that is a little precious. It is interesting, Parents surely should step up and be accountable for product that is purchased. I'm not bothered all my restricted stuff is on DVD. But The Warehouse is the ONLY outlet "top o the south" that sells BR.

here's to higher demand on imports ..

[Hucksta G]

Man that is BS!!!

[LordCrumb]

'Parents'? Parents?? They don't want any responsibility at all in New Zealand... so much easier to try and find excuses elsewhere.

"Oh I don't want little Jimmy and Susie exposed to an R18 title". Don't buy it for them then!

[SGB]

What utter B.S.!!!

[Badas]

Originally Posted by LordCrumb

'Parents'? Parents?? They don't want any responsibility at all in New Zealand... so much easier to try and find excuses elsewhere.

"Oh I don't want little Jimmy and Susie exposed to an R18 title". Don't buy it for them then!

I totally agree. Bringing up young boys myself I am continuously horrified how other parents want everything done for them.

This R18 stuff is BS. I bet it is more likely they can't rely on their staff to enforce the rating system. They are constantly been taken to court for breaking it.

[McCrutchy]

I feel for my New Zealand friends with this news. This is the type of censorship I would have expected 20-25 years ago, not in 2014.

[LordCrumb]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

I feel for my Australian friends with this news. This is the type of censorship I would have expected 20-25 years ago, not in 2014.

They're ok, it's a New Zealand store.

[Hucksta G]

We always got JB!

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by LordCrumb

They're ok, it's a New Zealand store.

Sorry, been in America too long.

[LordCrumb]

Originally Posted by Hucksta G

We always got JB!

That's one good thing, plus their Online Shop is 10x better than The Warehouse one (JB still has faults of their own though).

I never bought from Noel Leeming anyway, they could never do any better prices than Harvey Norman.

Nanny State strikes again.

[Caustic]

I just posted I'm the general thread. Absolute horse drivel

They can keep their righteousness. This draconian path leads to two conclusions for me. I no longer buy any media in NZ and I'll never shop at The Warehouse again.

So much for personal responsibility and liberty. It's the Warehouses fault if they sell these to underage persons. Why should I as a legally abiding and societal engaged adult be told what I can or can't watch (via restriction on choice and purchasing)?

This is not how free society works. You can't actively be involved in capitalism like the Warehouse is (and a key proponent of free trade) and then pull shit like this

[Caustic]

Oh and we may as we'll not have JB in NZ either. The stores here are second class to Aus: smaller range, higher prices and definitely no cool sales

[LordCrumb]

I would like to openly share my own thoughts on why this is actually happening, but let me just say it's something we ALL do not want to get into a debate about.. *cough*

[Show spoiler]Mark Powell is a Christian

*cough*

[LordCrumb]

Most commentators expressed surprise at The Warehouse's move but suggested there could be business as well as ethical reasons behind it.

Tim Morris of research house Coriolis said The Warehouse had a precedent, in that Walmart had pulled Grand Theft Auto from its shelves before.

But in his opinion, most seemingly ethical decisions by firms were also to their fiscal benefit.

"Have they stopped selling sugary drinks and cheap plastic crap that's going to fill landfills? No. It's a very selective decision and there's probably good fundamental reasons behind it."

Article has been updated with more info and comments; http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/bett...ames-dvds.html

[Caustic]

I think a certain belief system is part of it but equally I think playing to complaints of numpties who are just looking for anything to attack and try and control is more likely the rationale. Instead of acquiescing he should have politely told them to bugger off

[takeasneededforpain]

Frankly I'm not surprised.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by LordCrumb

Article has been updated with more info and comments; http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/bett...ames-dvds.html

["]R18 ranges from stuff that would be generally acceptable like Game of Thrones right through to stuff that I think if most people saw the recordings I've seen would not find [them acceptable].

"We're not saying it should be banned. We're just saying it doesn't fit with our brand."

(I think that's entrely quoted from Mark Powell)

So Game of Thrones is "generally acceptable"? That seems like a strange thing for him to say, considering that his company is removing everything with the R18 rating. Though I guess they would still sell the R16 rated first season?

[Caustic]

I'll put even money on them being condescending next

"It's ok to stock Last Tango in Paris because it's an classic cinematic tale. People who like this film obviously are into art and therefore can interpret the context correctly. We need to think about exposure to a working family in Mangere when it comes to adult content like GTAV"

[LordCrumb]

It's certainly hypocrisy as it's finest, ff he considers Game of Thrones acceptable. What are these other titles he is talking about? without any clarification it can't be taken seriously.

Reminds me a lot of the old BBFC and the 'Video Nasties' debates.

50 Shades of Grey was in stock last time I ventured into The Warehouse, sitting pride of place in the main display shelf. From what I have heard, it's pretty graphic (although cheezy) in it's sexual writing?