Target Australia stores set to convert into Kmarts or K Hub as 52 outlets set to shut for good

REVEALED: The 64 Australian Target stores set to convert into Kmarts or fancy new ‘K Hubs’ this year – as others prepare to shut for good

  • Target is set to shut 52 stores, while 64 others are expected to convert to Kmarts
  • Wesfarmers announced majority of conversions will take place throughout 2021 
  • 64 outlets will convert into Kmarts or ‘K Hubs’, which are smaller format stores

Target Australia is set to shut more stores permanently in a major shake-up to the retail industry, with further outlets expected to convert into Kmarts.

Parent company Wesfarmers announced the majority of the conversions will take place around the country throughout 2021.

Over the next 12 months, 52 Target stores will close its doors for good after the retail chain suffered a $67million slump in sales, while 64 others are preparing to convert into Kmarts or ‘K Hubs’, which are smaller format country stores.

Last year, 16 Target outlets transitioned into either a Kmart or the brand new K Hub concept store, while eight others permanently closed.

Last year, a number of regional Target stores were converted into ‘K-Hub’ – a smaller format shop selling homewares, clothing, and kids range (picture of a K-Hub store in regional Victoria)

Target Australia is set to shut more stores permanently in a major shake-up in 2021 (file image)

Target Australia is set to shut more stores permanently in a major shake-up in 2021 (file image)

What are K Hub stores? 

The ‘one stop shop’ K Hub stores are re-branded Target Country stores that stock the most popular homewares, clothing and children lines from Kmart. 

The collections are designed for a ‘smaller neighbourhood store, with bigger convenience in mind’ and is described as ‘the best of Kmart, just in a smaller package’.

‘The decision to transform the Target network, and the difficult decision to close some of our stores is not one that is made lightly but one that is necessary to improve the commercial viability of the business,’ the chain said on its website.

‘In order to do this successfully in the current retail environment, we need to adapt our business – to make it smaller, more focused, less complex and more digitally enabled so we can better serve our customers both in-store and online.’

A number of regional Target stores have since been re-branded as ‘K-Hub’ shops.

‘Our K hub stores may look a little different to what you’d expect from a normal Kmart store,’ Kmart said in August last year.

‘They have our most popular Kmart products across kids, home and clothing, but they’ve been brought to life in a new way – a collection inspired for a smaller neighbourhood store, with bigger convenience in mind.’

Customers will have the option to shop Kmart and Target’s full product range online, then visit the store to collect their items. 

The major shake up comes after the retailer announced the official opening of its brand new concept stores in Cobram, Echuca and Seymour in regional Victoria in August last year

The major shake up comes after the retailer announced the official opening of its brand new concept stores in Cobram, Echuca and Seymour in regional Victoria in August last year

‘Our online business will still be available 24 hours a day. We’ll be increasing our digital capabilities, so that we can continue to meet growing demand in this space,’ it said.

Kmart Group, the collective of Kmart Australia, Catch and Target Australia, are all owned by Wesfarmers and together form the biggest combined retailer in the country selling more than two million different products. 

Last year, Westfarmers said the restructure would reduce Target’s ‘unsustainable’ cost base and allow it focus on the more-profitable Kmart. 

The company explained the plan was to shut 10 to 25 large Target stores, alongside 50 smaller Target Country stores – and convert 92 other outlets into Kmarts.

The closures and conversions are likely to cost the company between $120million and $170million over the next year.

A further $140million will be used for one-off store conversion and stock clearance costs.

Target stores to convert into Kmarts

NEW SOUTH WALES 

Bega, early-mid 2021

Bondi Junction, early 2021 

Bowral, early 2021

Broken Hill, early-mid 2021 

Gunnedah, early 2021

Katoomba, early 2021

Liverpool, mid 2021

Miranda, early 2021

Moree, early 2021

Mudgee, early 2021

Picton, early 2021

Rhodes, early 2021

Rouse Hill, early 2021

Tumut, early 2021

Ulladulla, early 2021

Warringah Mall, mid 2021

Windsor Town S/C, early 2021

Yass, early 2021

VICTORIA

Ararat, early-mid 2021 

Caroline Springs, late 2021 

Craigieburn, early 2021

Doncaster, early 2021 

Epping, early-mid 2021 

Hamilton, early 2021 

Lakes Entrance, early 2021

Leongatha, early 2021

Mansfield, early 2021

Portland, early 2021

Seymour, early 2021 

Swan Hill, 2021 

Watergardens, early-mid 2021 

Yarrawonga, early 2021

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Katherine, early 2021

QUEENSLAND

Ayr, early-mid 2021

Beerwah, early-mid 2021

Bowen, early 2021

Charters Towers, early 2021

Chinchilla, early 2021

Dalby, early 2021

Forest Lake, early 2021 

Gatton, early 2021

Goondiwindi, early 2021

Gympie, early 2021

Ingham, early 2021

Mareeba, early 2021

Noosa Junction, early 2021

Ocean Shores Village Ctr, early 2021

Port Douglas, early 2021

Roma, early 2021

Sarina, early 2021

Stanthorpe, early 2021

Warwick, early 2021

Yamba, early 2021

Yeppoon, early 2021

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Berri, early 2021

Murray Bridge, early 2021

Port Augusta, early 2021

Victor Harbour, early 2021

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Esperance, early 2021

Geraldton, early-mid 2021

Northam, early 2021

Perth CBD, mid 2021 

Pinjarra, early 2021 

Whitford City, mid 2021  

Full list: Target stores set to shut

NEW SOUTH WALES

Armidale, early-mid 2021 

Casino Retail Centre, early-mid 2021 

Cooma, early-mid 2021

Cootamundra, early-mid 2021

Corowa, early-mid 2021

Deniliquin, early-mid 2021

Forbes, early-mid 2021

Goonellabah, early 2021

Leeton, early 2021

Merimbula, early-mid 2021

Morisset, early-mid 2021

Murwillumbah, early 2021

Narrabri, early-mid 2021

Nowra, early-mid 2021

Salamander Bay, early-mid 2021

Scone, early-mid 2021

Wagga Wagga, early-mid 2021

Winmalee, early-mid 2021

VICTORIA

Bacchus Marsh, early-mid 2021

Bairnsdale, early-mid 2021

Benalla, mid 2021

Colac, early-mid 2021

Kerang, early-mid 2021

Langwarrin, early-mid 2021

Maryborough, early-mid 2021

Myrtleford, early-mid 2021

Traralgon, early-mid 2021

Warragul, early-mid 2021

QUEENSLAND

Atherton, early 2021

Beaudesert, early-mid 2021

Biloela, early 2021

Cairns, mid 2021  

Castletown, early 2021 

Clifton Beach, early-mid 2021

Emerald, early-mid 2021 

Hervey Bay, early 2021 

Kippa Ring, early 2021

Longreach, early-mid 2021

Moranbah, early-mid 2021

Murgon, early-mid 2021 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Busselton, early 2021

Karratha, early-mid 2021

Kununurra, early-mid 2021

Manjimup, early-mid 2021

Margaret River, early-mid 2021 

Merredin, early-mid 2021

Narrogin, early-mid 2021

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Clare, early-mid 2021

Millicent, early 2021

Naracoorte, early-mid 2021 

Port Lincoln, early 2021

TASMANIA

Devonport, early-mid 2021

ACT

Weston Creek, early-mid 2021 



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