Big change as Kmart introduces a booking system in Melbourne after restrictions lift

One thing Melburnians can’t wait to do other than drink beer is shop at Kmart now restrictions have lifted, but shopping will be a little different.

If there is one thing Melburnians can’t wait to do other than drink beer when restrictions lift — it’s to shop at Kmart.

Social media has been dominated by memes showing just how eager shoppers are about the moment they’re finally able to nab all the Kmart items they’ve waited three long months for.

“To everyone in Melbourne who is rejoicing about finally being able to go to Kmart – I hope you find the random home decor of your dreams,” said another.

“Melbourne is coming out of lockdown and judging by what’s trending we want to get on the beers and go to Kmart. We are a simple people,” a third person said, while a fourth simply added, “F**k yeah Melbourne, you can go to Kmart.”

But Kmart has confirmed a change to its shopping experience since restrictions lifted, along with new measures in place “to ensure the shopping experience is as smooth and safe as possible”.

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Kmart has introduced a booking system for Melburnians.

BOOKING SYSTEM

It has introduced a booking system via its Social Q app.

“We understand customer’s time is precious so customers can simply skip the queues by booking a shop online,” a Kmart spokesperson told news.com.au

“A customer simply heads online, selects their nominated store and preferred time and tells us how many visitors will be shopping.

“Confirm the booking and you’re ready to go. When the store is not at capacity, customers are able to walk straight in.”

Kmart 11:59 tomorrow🤣🤣😭 #Melbourne pic.twitter.com/KnWE41VjcJ

— 🇸🇴💙🤍💚 (@blcknballin) October 26, 2020

Kmart checkouts Wednesday 28th October pic.twitter.com/HQ2lfJjBpf

— Marcus MD (@marcus_mmd) October 26, 2020

Customers will notice timeslots are every 20 minutes to allow shoppers to arrive at the store within that time frame.

While it’s not essential to pre-book to gain entry into the store, without booking could mean physically waiting a very long time until a slot becomes vacant due to capacity restrictions in stores.

To help make the process even quicker, Kmart has also offered shoppers to book a spot in line for the registers from anywhere at any time, whether at-home ahead of their visit, or while at a Kmart store.

PSA for my Melbourne peeps. You have to book ahead to shop at Kmart. pic.twitter.com/yGivXbJtus

— 𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐕𝐍𝐍𝐄. (@onLEEfanss) October 27, 2020

This is normal 🙂 pic.twitter.com/kbcZYPwB5K

— Tara Watson (@tara_watson_) October 27, 2020

Large scale Kmart stores in Burwood, Campbellfield, Fountain Gate, Belmont and Werribee reopened its doors at midnight last night following Victoria’s easement of restrictions.

The remainder opened at 8am on Wednesday.

As customers flooded into stores overnight, the spokesperson told news.com.au a number of measures are in place “to ensure the shopping experience is as smooth and safe as possible for our customers”.

This includes more than 72 new COVID safe processes, booking times for busy stores and extended trading hours “so that customers can shop at quieter times”.

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Social media has been flooded with posts from excited Kmart lovers eager to shop at the store from midnight on Tuesday.

‘Beers’ and ‘Kmart’ are trending on Twitter in Melbourne.

“It’s been a long few months for all Melburnians and with Christmas on the horizon, we are looking forward to welcoming customers back into our stores from Wednesday morning,” Ian Bailey, Kmart Group Managing Director said.

A COVID safety marshal will be present in each store during busy times to help ensure they are operating safely with hygiene measures in place and practising physical distancing.