Footage shows IGA worker being threatened with axe during Melbourne armed robbery

A supermarket worker has taken a leave of absence after he was threatened with an axe and machete during an armed robbery in Melbourne's inner-east.

CCTV captured four masked men walking into the IGA store on Wilsmere Road in Kew about 8.30pm on Tuesday.

Detective Senior Constable John Wallington said the group demanded cigarettes, before stealing high-end alcohol worth $800.

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"There was a lot of aggression shown by the offenders," Wallington told media today.

"You know waving the axe right in the victim's face making him kneel on the ground."

"It is disgusting really that these people think they can walk into the store and threaten innocent people with some really serious weapons."

The men fled the scene in a white SUV.

The staff member did not suffer any physical injuries.

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Police believe the same group stole almost $400 worth of alcohol from a liquor store on Through Road in Camberwell about 7.30pm the same day.

The IGA store owner Danny Kashyap said the ordeal was "very upsetting".

Detectives have released CCTV footage of the males who they believe may assist with their enquiries.