Kmart, Target and Bunnings: How to still shop during lockdown

As Melbourne shops close their doors due to stage 4 restrictions, here’s how you can still shop at stores including Kmart, JB Hi-Fi, and Harvey Norman.

Australia’s major retailers are bracing for a rush of online orders as Melburnians struggle through another harsh lockdown.

From midnight on Wednesday, most non-essential stores closed their doors to the public for six weeks in a bid to contain the coronavirus spread.

This means companies have had to adapt and prepare for the stage 4 restrictions quickly, with shoppers forced to shop online or via click and collect.

IS KMART OPEN?

Kmart Australia and New Zealand’s retail director John Gualtieri said the company fully supported the Victorian Government’s “difficult decision” to go into lockdown, and that it was implementing several measures as a result.

“We know this is a challenging time for many Victorians, but together, we know that we can help slow the spread of this awful disease,” he said.

“At Kmart, we promise to continue supporting you – our customers – as best we can during this time. We’ll continue adapting the way we operate so that Victorian families have easy access to the products they need, at the time they need them most.

“We’ll be providing contactless click and collect services in metropolitan Melbourne and we’ll also be extending free delivery on eligible orders above $45 until September 17, 2020.”

The free delivery on orders above $45 will be Australia-wide.

Mr Gualtieri said store teams would be “safely working in store to help support online demand” and said it had already been compulsory for team members to wear face coverings and maintain 1.5m physical distancing requirements.

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Target is also offering free delivery on orders over $45. Picture: Gizelle Ghidella

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“We’re working through stage 4 lockdown detail as quickly as we can and we’ll continue to communicate updates with our Kmart communities as soon as possible,” he said.

They announced the company was also “hitting pause” on its returns policy, which would restart “once we are able to reopen our doors” – which means all customers will have new 60 day terms after reopening.

Metropolitan Melbourne customers can also use contactless click and collect services between the hours of 9am and 5pm every day, with items available for collection at a car park pick-up location.

WHAT IS TARGET UP TO?

Target is also adopting similar policies, with a Target spokeswoman confirming all metropolitan Melbourne stores will close to customers but will have contactless click and collect still available.

Select stores will be fulfilling online orders, and stores in regional Victoria will remain open in line with Victorian Government guidance.

There is also free home delivery for online orders over $45.

Target Australia managing director Marina Joanou said Melbourne stores would close at 11.59pm on Wednesday night.

“At Target Australia, the safety of our customers and our team are our highest priority – and right now in Victoria, as our customers and teams face extremely difficult circumstances, we are committed to supporting them,” she said.

“Under the new restrictions announced by the Victorian Government, our focus remains on safely providing the products our customers need at this time.

“We will continue to follow the advice of the Victorian Government, and we send our greatest thanks to our team and customers for their ongoing support.”

WHAT ARE K HUBS?

New look Kmart stores have opened as part of a massive overhaul of Target-branded stores announced earlier this year.

The stores, which were previously Target Country, have been converted into K Hubs, a one-stop shop which will allow communities to continue accessing budget items as well as serving as a click and collect outlet for online shopping.

So far three have been converted and are operational in regional Victorian stores — Cobram, Echuca and Seymour — offering shoppers sites for online consuming then pick up at the physical K Hub stores for click and collect.

See the full list of stores being converted here.

IS BIG W OPEN?

Big W will close 22 Melbourne stores, but the chain will “continue to provide the essentials families need through contactless home delivery and contactless pick-up at those stores”.

“Caring for our Victorian team members is our priority and we intend for our team to continue working to support pick-up and online orders or alternatively, in Woolworths Supermarkets,” the Big W website states.

“We are working through how we can best support our customers with lay-by, returns and pick-up and we will update you soon with more details.

“As part of the Woolworths Group, BIG W are now strongly encouraging all customers, team members and visitors to wear face coverings when visiting any of our stores in NSW and ACT.”

JB HI-FI, THE GOOD GUYS and BUNNINGS

The newest restrictions are the toughest in Australian history, which means that many major retailers which were able to remain open during the first lockdown won’t have that choice this time around.

As a result, 46 JB Hi-Fi stores and 21 The Good Guys branches in Melbourne will close temporarily, while Bunnings stores in the Melbourne metropolitan region will remain open for trade customers, but will be closed for in-store retail customers.

As a specialist supplier of stationery and printing services, Officeworks stores can continue to service business customers, but will be closed for in-store retail customers.

BEST&LESS

Aussie clothing retailer Best&Less is offering online shopping to Melbourne metro residents with free shipping for orders over $80.

Regional stores remain open, with the option to order via phone along with online shopping.

HARVEY NORMAN

Harvey Norman’s 18 stores within the Melbourne area impacted by the lockdown will operate as click and collect sites for purchases made on the website.

Stores outside of the Melbourne zone not recognised by the health authority as areas needing to be closed will continue operating as normal.

MYER

Myer has closed stores in metro Melbourne, which include: Melbourne City, Highpoint, Southland, Doncaster, Northland, Chadstone, Werribee, Frankston, Fountain Gate, Eastland and Knox.

The department store chain is anticipating strong demand for online shopping, however, with click and collect operational at Melbourne City, Highpoint, Southland, Doncaster, Northland.

“During this time, myer.com.au will be available to our customers 24/7 across our full range, with a reduced delivery fee and relaxed returns policy in place; as well as our contact-free Click and Collect service at selected stores,” Myer spokesperson told news.com.au.

“Having closed stores earlier this years and just operating online, we saw unprecedented demand through our online store, as well as through our contact-free Click and Collect service and we expect the same again.

“As such, we are well prepared and ready to meet the needs of our Melbourne customers online during this period with a great range, across all categories, all in one place.”