Kmart Port Adelaide to close - what customers are saying

A popular western suburbs Kmart outlet is set to close its doors by mid-2024. Naturally, our readers have had some thoughts and feelings about the decision. See them here.

As The Advertiser reported in July, Kmart Port Adelaide will close its doors this year in a shock decision by parent company Wesfarmers.

The move to close the outlet, which is inside Port Adelaide Plaza Shopping Centre, will impact 100 employees.

A Kmart spokesperson said the decision to close the store followed a review that determined that the community could be served by stores at West Lakes and Churchill Rd.

Initially, no closing date was given, but in September Kmart announced the store would be winding up on May 25, 2024.

Here’s how our readers have been reacting to the news on Advertiser.com.au and our social media channels. What do you think?

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PETER
I was working night shift at Messenger Press when it was built. Back then it was called “Super K-Mart. It even had an in store restaurant. Lots of good memories, sad to see it go.

ELLEN
When a country or regional store closes it doesn’t seem to make the media like this? It happened to a Target Country in a regional SA town and the nearest similar type of store is approx 80km away ... yet it did not make the news.

KATHERINE
Lived in the Port area for over 20 years .... they closed the TAFE - still vacant - and at a time when SA needs upskilling... Closing the Kmart is the same backwards thinking that has impacted the Port business community. We don’t want Burnside Village or DFO, we want our community to thrive.

EM

Port Adelaide story is much better laid out than its West Lakes store. Sad to see it go.

VAL
Kmart is owned by the same people (Wesfarmers) who have introduced self-service only checkout at Coles. The bigger the profit to their shareholders the bigger the detriment to workers and customers.

KEVIN
This is one of the oldest shops in Port Adelaide. So that means online shopping or going to to West Lakes. What a screw up. Feel (for) the seniors that will have to travel elsewhere.

MARLAINE M
Bad news for everyone living in the Port Adelaide area. I buy from this store often now I will have to drive to West lake, I shop at Coles and all the local shops, all these shops will now suffer. Think again Wesfarmers.

GARY C
Port Adelaide always has more stock than West Lakes, and Churchill is too far way. Very disappointing decision.

ROBYN
Of course it should stay open, it’s been in the Port for many years. It’s a great store with great helpful very friendly staff.

CHERIE
Yes, some huge memories for me in that store. Was there to see the wall go up when it was Super K; half the staff went to Coles half in Kmart. Kmart head office was also located there. I met some really lovely people while working there (for) 16 years. Would love it to remain open.

KATHERINE
Keep it open! I will do volunteer security, anything to save our Kmart, best staff in the West.

KAREN
We have new housing development so.more people in the area. It (the closure) will ruin our new shopping centre. It was a good Kmart. If I do go to West Lakes there are other shopping alternatives. Won’t be using Kmart.

JOSEPHINE
Port is one of the better stores. We are suppose to be building up the Port. If that goes, everyone will have to go to West Lakes, which is not always convient to many people. Whether it’s Kmart, or Management of the Centre, (they) really need to think about their customers, not about money. Seriously.

PHIL
If it’s not profitable for the owner it should be closed.

JOHN

I would have thought that was a business decision for Kmart to make. The question should be ‘is it profitable?’

JULIE
I love this store. I will have to go to (the) city as I’m in (a) mobility scooter and can’t get to West Lakes.

TERRY
I live in Kingston SE and shop there every time we are down there.

DWAYNE

There’s one at West Lakes, which is not far away at all. From a business perspective it totally makes sense to shut this one down!!

ROSLYN
Keep it open. There will be a decline in the Port and we don’t want this happening. Support the Port.

SCOTT
Everyone whining probably rarely shops at Kmart Port. Never anyone in it when I have gone.

LYN
Why should we have to travel the extra distance to the Churchill Centre or West Lakes? And no matter what they say staff will be lost.

DEENA
Devastated. Kmart is the best thing about working in the Port.

KRYSTAL
I haven’t been since the port plaza went up, and I have no intention to go. I hate the plaza.

RON
Opportunity for Big W.

EMILY

My birthday cake came from this story every year. Sad to see it closing.

STEVE
What the heck? Customers better serviced by ‘adjacent’ stores? Seriously? You are going to lose customers AND credibility over this. The Port Adelaide area population is going gangbusters, and you want to walk away from that? At your peril Westfarmers. At your peril!