Target closures: When stores will close, convert to Kmart

Aussie Target fans will say goodbye to more than 150 stores forever, after a shock announcement made today.

Up to 167 Target stores could disappear forever and 92 could be converted into Kmarts, according to a shock announcement made today.

Australian fans can prepare to say goodbye to the discount department store chain within the next 12 months, parent company Wesfarmers said, revealing plans to “accelerate the growth of Kmart” and “address the unsustainable financial performance of Target” in a note to investors this morning.

“For some time now, the retail sector has seen significant structural change and disruption, and we expect this trend to continue,” Wesfarmers Managing Director Rob Scott said.

“The actions announced reflect our continued focus on investing in Kmart, a business with a compelling customer offer and strong competitive advantages, while also improving the viability of Target by addressing some of its structural challenges by simplifying the business model.”

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Up to 167 Target stores could disappear forever and 92 could be converted into Kmarts, according to a shock announcement made today. Picture: Supplied

92 Target stores will be converted into Kmarts within the next 12 months.

Actions taken by Wesfarmers include converting a number of large format Target stores into Kmart, Target Country stores into small format Kmart stores, and closing between 10 and 25 Target stores and the remaining Target Country stores.

“These actions are expected to be implemented over the next twelve months with the majority occurring in calendar year 2021,” the note read.

A Target spokeswoman told news.com.au in a statement the decision had been a difficult one.

“The decision to transform the Target store network, and particularly the very difficult decision to close stores, is not one that is made lightly, but one that is necessary to improve the commercial viability of the business and to support the thousands of people we employ,” the spokeswoman said.

“Our team, customers and communities have always been at the heart of everything we do – and that doesn’t change today.”

Kmart Group managing director Ian Bailey said the company had made a “significant effort to avoid store closures, retain our valued team members, keep serving our customers and supporting our suppliers”.

WHICH STORES ARE CLOSING?

So far, Target has confirmed 53 stores across all states and territories except the Northern Territory.

They include:

NSW:

• Armidale, early-mid 2021

• Campbelltown, July 2020

• Cooma, early-mid 2021

• Cootamundra, early-mid 2021

• Corowa, early-mid 2021

• Deniliquin, early-mid 2021

• Forbes, early-mid 2021

• Leeton, early 2021

• Merimbula, early-mid 2021

• Morisset, early-mid 2021

• Narrabri, early-mid 2021

• Nowra, early-mid 2021

• Salamander Bay, early-mid 2021

• Scone, early-mid 2021

• Wagga Wagga, early-mid 2021

• Winmalee, early-mid 2021

QLD:

• Atherton, early 2021

• Beaudesert, early-mid 2021

• Biloela, early 2021

• Casino Retail Centre, early-mid 2021

• Clifton Beach, early-mid 2021

• Emerald, early-mid 2021

• Goonellabah, early 2021

• Kippa Ring, early 2021

• Longreach, early-mid 2021

• Moranbah, early-mid 2021

• Murgon, early-mid 2021

• Murwillumbah, early 2021

VICTORIA:

• Bacchus Marsh, early-mid 2021

• Bairnsdale, early-mid 2021

• Benalla, mid 2021

• Colac, early-mid 2021

• Kerang, early-mid 2021

• Langwarrin, early-mid 2021

• Maryborough, early-mid 2021

• Myrtleford, early-mid 2021

• Traralgon, early-mid 2021

• Warragul, early-mid 2021

WA:

• Busselton, early 2021

• Karratha, early-mid 2021

• Kununurra, early-mid 2021

• Manjimup, early-mid 2021

• Margaret River, early-mid 2021

• Meadow Springs, August 2020

• Merredin, early-mid 2021

• Narrogin, early-mid 2021

SA

• Clare, early-mid 2021

• Millicent, early 2021

• Naracoorte, early-mid 2021

• Pasadena, June 2020

• Port Lincoln, early 2021

TASMANIA:

• Davenport, early-mid 2021

ACT:

• Weston Creek, early-mid 2021

WHICH STORES WILL BECOME KMARTS?

Again, most states and territories are affected except the ACT and Tasmania.

VICTORIA:

• Ararat, early-mid 2021

• Castlemaine, September 2020

• Cobram, July 2020

• Echuca, July 2020

• Hamilton, early 2021

• Kyabram, September 2020

• Lakes Entrance, early 2021

• Leongatha, early 2021

• Mansfield, early 2021

• Portland, early 2021

• Seymour, early 2021

• Woodend, September 2020

• Yarrawonga, early 2021

QLD:

• Ayr, early-mid 2021

• Beerwah, early-mid 2021

• Bowen, early 2021

• Charters Towers, early 2021

• Chinchilla, early 2021

• Dalby, early 2021

• Gatton, early 2021

• Goondiwindi, early 2021

• Gympie, early 2021

• Ingham, ealry 2021

• Mareeba, early 2021

• Noosa Junction, early 2021

• Ocean Shores Village Ctr, early 2021

• Port Douglas, early 2021

• Roma, early 2021

• Sarina,early 2021

• Stanthorpe, early 2021

• Warwick, early 2021

• Yamba, early 2021

• Yeppoon, early 2021

NSW:

• Bega, early-mid 2021

• Bowral, early 2021

• Gunnedah, early 2021

• Katoomba, early 2021

• Moree, early 2021

• Mudgee, early 2021

• Picton, early 2021

• Tumut, early 2021

• Ulladulla, early 2021

• Windsor Town S/C, early 2021

• Yass, early 2021

SA:

• Berri, early 2021

• Murray Bridge, early 2021

• Port Augusta, early 2021

• Victor Harbour, early 2021

WA:

• Esperance, early 2021

• Geraldton, early-mid 2021

• Northam, early 2021

• Pinjarra, early 2021

NT:

• Katherine, early 2021