The surprising reason why Aussies are ditching Kmart for Bunnings in 2025: ‘No comparison’

Australians love their retail giants, but when it comes to choosing between Bunnings and Kmart, one store reigns supreme.

For many shoppers, Bunnings simply does it better, offering stellar service and a seamless shopping experience that has left Kmart struggling to keep up.

A Port Stephens resident shared that there was an ‘enormous contrast’ between the two stores when it came to interaction.

One of the biggest draws of Bunnings, they say, is its abundance of staff who are always available and ready to help.

Shoppers rave about how easy it is to find someone to point them to the right aisle or offer advice on their DIY projects.

In stark contrast, Kmart often feels like a ‘ghost town’.

‘I spent 20 minutes or so trying to find someone on the floor on Kmart to pay for an item which had lost its tag,’ a customer wrote.

‘There was no one except one young woman who was not supposed to still be on and struggled to log on and find the item. She looked abandoned. The only other person I could see was the woman at the exit to stop shoplifting.

Australians love their retail giants, but when it comes to choosing between Bunnings and Kmart, one store reigns supreme

‘I just stopped at Bunnings. It was closing time and half the staff were heading out. But there were still people. It was easy. Staff to point me to the right isle. Quick in and out.’

Efficiency is another area where Bunnings shines.

Armed with a user-friendly app that pinpoints the exact aisle and section of any item, Bunnings allows shoppers to quickly locate what they need and get in and out without hassle.

Kmart, on the other hand, can feel like a frustrating treasure hunt.

Customers frequently complain about stock discrepancies, with the website claiming items are available when they are nowhere to be found on shelves.

Disorganised sections, particularly in high-traffic areas like toys, add to the chaos, making the shopping experience anything but smooth.

One shopper commented, ‘The shelves at Kmart are usually a mess, especially the toys section. It’s like every parent lets their kids rearrange everything, and no staff member is around to fix it. Good luck finding anything on a Saturday afternoon.’

For families, Bunnings offers a level of ease that Kmart struggles to match.

A Port Stephens resident shared an 'enormous contrast' between Bunnings and Kmart

A Port Stephens resident shared an ‘enormous contrast’ between Bunnings and Kmart

Wide aisles, straightforward layouts, and even outdoor playgrounds make it a manageable outing for parents with young children.

Meanwhile, Kmart’s decision to place registers in the middle of the store has been a major source of frustration for parents.

Many have resorted to click-and-collect or delivery services to avoid the chaos altogether.

One parent shared their frustration: ‘I’ve stopped shopping at Kmart because of the registers being in the middle.

‘Trying to get a toddler through the store, then back out without them grabbing anything else or wanting to open a toy is nearly impossible. Now I stick to delivery or click-and-collect.’

And then there’s the Bunnings snag.

The iconic sausage sizzle has become a beloved staple of the Bunnings experience, offering a delicious reward for shoppers who stop by.

Kmart simply can’t compete in this arena, leaving it at a clear disadvantage in terms of customer perks.

The iconic sausage sizzle has become a beloved staple of the Bunnings experience, offering a delicious reward for shoppers who stop by

With its stellar service, streamlined shopping, and unbeatable sausage sizzles, Bunnings has earned its place as Australia's favourite store

With its stellar service, streamlined shopping, and unbeatable sausage sizzles, Bunnings has earned its place as Australia’s favourite store

As one shopper joked, ‘One has snags, the other doesn’t – enough said!’

For some, the difference between the two stores boils down to their purpose.

At Kmart, the appeal lies in the wandering – the joy of stumbling across an unexpected find.

‘My wife loves Kmart because she enjoys the wandering and finding something ‘interesting’,’ one commenter explained.

‘But for me, Bunnings is about buying, not shopping. I look up the exact aisle of the item, go there, and get it. There’s a difference between the two techniques.’

Despite the charm of Kmart’s affordable treasures, many customers find the disorganised shelves, lack of staff, and logistical frustrations too much to bear. 

Bunnings, by comparison, runs like a well-oiled machine, even during busy times. 

With its stellar service, streamlined shopping, and unbeatable sausage sizzles, Bunnings has earned its place as Australia’s favourite store.

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