If you break an item while shopping, a store may ask you to pay for it.

The store is effectively making a claim for damages against you because they have lost the opportunity to sell the item at the retail price.

This type of situation is not covered by the Australian Consumer Law.

If the store has items badly stacked on shelves or insufficient distance between shelving for a shopper to pass, you may be able to dispute the store’s claim and so you should seek independent legal advice before making any payment.