Far North Target Australia stores: Majority to be closed or converted into Kmart
Target stores across the country are set to be closed or converted into Kmart stores this year as parent company Wesfarmers tries to stem its losses. Read how many FNQ stores will be impacted.
Cairns
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THE MAJORITY of Target stores across the Far North are set to be shut down or revamped by mid-year as parent company Wesfarmers tries to stem its losses and focus on its growing Kmart chain.
The Atherton store will close on January 23 while the Clifton Beach and Cairns Central sites are listed for some time in April and May.
Cairns Central’s current Kmart will relocate into the centre's Target space once it closes, leaving the Kmart space vacant.
The Port Douglas and Mareeba stores will close on February 6 and January 30, respectively before reopening as Kmart K hub sites about three weeks later.
Only Stockland’s Target remains unscathed.
The major overhaul comes after Wesfarmers made the announcement in May 2020.
The Target chain suffered a $67m sales slump last year whereas Kmart is growing fast.
A Target Australia spokeswoman declined to provide information about how many FNQ employees would be affected but said the company remained focused on helping its team through this time as “we work through finding suitable redeployment within other employers in town or other Wesfarmers businesses including Kmart, Catch, Bunnings and Officeworks”.
“Any permanent team members who we are unable to secure suitable redeployment will have access to all their entitlements,” she said.
“We understand that not all of our customers choose to shop online. However, we are committed to assisting our customers to help make this process an easier one, with a focus on explaining the attributes and features of Target online, including the accessibility and broad range of products on offer.”
Cairns Central Centre manager Christie-Lee Jackson said despite the change, the centre still offered 180 stores and attracted more than 11 million visits on average per year.
“With our $60m redevelopment now complete, customers are enjoying even more diverse and exciting stores,” Ms Jackson said.
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Across the country, 64 Target stores will be rebranded as Kmart or K hub stores while up to 75 stores will be closed.
In a statement, Wesfarmers said: “Target has struggled for many years and has incurred very significant losses.”
Originally published as Far North Target Australia stores: Majority to be closed or converted into Kmart
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