Consumer Affairs Minister Yvonne Henderson says more care and management was needed in controlling the crowds of shoppers who rushed Myers' sale yesterday.
"I am very concerned for the safety of shoppers and staff," Mrs Henderson said.
"Good management is required to ensure people enter stores in an orderly way.
"Store owners have a duty to take care of their customers and staff, and not allow situations where injury is likely."
Mrs Henderson said the Government had acted in 1988 to protect customers and staff safety by adding provisions to the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act.
She said the Act required an employer to maintain a working environment in which employees were not exposed to hazards.
It also required that an employer ensure that the health or safety of people other than employees was not adversely affected as a result of the work in which he or his employees were engaged.
Mrs Henderson said inspectors from the Department of Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare were investigating possible breaches of the Act.
She said retailers also had a duty to people entering their premises under common law Occupiers Liability.
This required that people invited on to premises were not exposed to unreasonable dangers or hazards.
Mrs Henderson said shoppers could seek legal advice about bringing an action for damages.
