Armed robbers are being sought by police after a brutal onslaught netted nothing more than lollies.
Three men, armed with a hammer, entered the Rangitikei Street dairy in Whanganui East just before 5.30pm on Saturday.
"They assaulted the male shopkeeper, as well as a woman who came to his aid," Detective Constable Neville Mullany said.
"Both victims were struck on the head in what was a vicious and unprovoked attack.
"They were subsequently treated in hospital for non-life-threatening head injuries.