Kmart slammed over empty shelves during COVID-19 crisis

The discount department store favourite has been forced to apologise to customers for an annoying issue with its online operation.

Kmart shoppers have slammed the discount department chain’s deteriorating stock as supply chains are crippled due to the stage 4 lockdown in Victoria.

Complaints have flooded social media, criticising the Wesfarmers outlet for a reliance on cheap international imports leading to empty shelves.

A major gripe for online shoppers is also the failure of the major retailer to update missing items on its website.

RELATED: New look Kmart stores revealed

RELATED: Uber’s new rule for passengers

RELATED: Kmart’s ‘admirable’ move for staff

Many have complained that the products have disappeared once they have proceeded to the virtual checkout.

Kmart has been forced to close its Melbourne stores to customers during the stage 4 restrictions aimed at curbing the second wave of coronavirus, with only contactless click and collect facilities available for online sales, but warns its stock has been significantly impacted due to the extraordinary trading conditions.

“Unpredictable sales have seen stock flying out the door and into your homes, as we experience unusually high demand for some of our product categories both in store and online,” the company posted on its website.

“The good news is we’re working as hard as we can to quickly meet this unexpected demand.”

The bad news, however, is this post now appears out of date and was anticipating availability to improve and be “back to normal by August”.

Melbourne Kmart stores have been closed to the public.

The company’s social media team has been busy responding to a number of complaints being hurled at its Facebook page.

“Your online ordering is the worst system I have ever experienced,” one user wrote.

“You are able to add things to your bag and when you go to pay, it throws you completely out and says items are unavailable but doesn’t tell you which ones.

“You have to sign in again and do it all over again and try and guess what is and isn’t available. Not going to be bother ordering online with you ever again at all.”

And another: “So over empty shelves! That’s what happens when they outsourced to China!”

News.com.au has reached out to Kmart for comment.