UPDATED 6.33pm: The Warehouse is expecting to take a financial hit following its decision to take R18 games and DVDs off its shelves.

Chief executive Mark Powell says the recently released Grand Theft Auto V, which contains graphic sex scenes and violence towards women, has acted as a catalyst for the decision.

Powell adds he found the various clips he watched quite disturbing.

He says they also came to the conclusion they couldn't just remove one product - as that'd mean they'd have to vet all R18 products.

It'll take 48 hours to remove all the product from shelves.

He says the financial impact will be about $500,000-$1 million.