"My head was pouring with blood. I had stitches - two or three I think. The cut was just at the top of my eye."
Patel's wife Hasumata was also hit in the face repeatedly and their 30-year-old daughter now has a broken jaw.
Patel described the men as being solidly built and strong.
"They didn't say a word. Just bashed us up, that was it."
The couple's son, who was in his bedroom, called 111 from his mobile phone and police arrived as the two men ran from the shop with a laptop.
A police spokeswoman said one of the alleged robbers fought off police, but was tracked down by a police dog. Another man was later found and also arrested.
Footage was also caught on the shop's CCTV system.
A 19-year-old and 28-year-old man were due to appear in Manukau District Court on Tuesday charged with aggravated robbery and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Patel, his wife and daughter were taken to hospital overnight but returned home early yesterday morning.
Patel reopened the shop about 11am after police completed a scene examination. His daughter had also returned to her job running Mid City Lotto in Queen St in Auckland CBD.
It is the second time the store has been robbed in two months. In October, teenagers entered the shop wielding a hammer and knife and stole cigarettes while Patel was stocking up the drinks fridge.
Patel said the family had been left shaken by the latest attack, which was the worst in the 27 years he had owned the store. But he said they had no choice and had to carry on working.
"It's getting bad. Police might have to get tougher.
"There's no safety now. Every minute you just have to be careful. You can't leave the counter."
Papakura MP Judith Collins said the police had done great work apprehending the alleged offenders so quickly.
"They are people that are going about their everyday lawful business and they've been traumatised by some horrible little thugs.
"One of the best ways dealing with seriously violent offenders is to put them in jail."
She said one of the offenders approached a nearby family claiming to be a victim, but the residents cottoned on quickly and alerted police. The other man was caught by a police dog, she said.
National had launched its Safer Dairies programme while in government to give dairy owners tips of how to safe, but she said it was sometimes difficult for shopkeepers to protect themselves, given the nature of the business was to let the public into the shop.
Crime Prevention Group president Sunny Kaushal, who represented small businesses and retailers, said the situation was getting out of control and he was hearing about attacks on dairy owners and workers almost every day.
Kaushal said the courts needed to take a stronger stance on these type of offenders so there was a bigger deterrent.
"They have no fear of the law, they have no fear of the police and no fear of being caught," he said.
"If you have seen the way they are attacking and assaulting the workers of small business in broad daylight in public areas, it tells you how fearless these offenders are. Because they know even if they get caught, the courts will let them go easily."
Members of the Papakura Spread the News Facebook page had also expressed dismay at the latest attack and offered their support to the family.
