Inside Australia’s biggest Kmart store shoppers call a ‘hidden gem’

The budget retailer opened its biggest ever store recently, but the award-winning shop is a “hidden gem” only few know about.

Shoppers have been left stunned after discovering a three-storey Kmart in the middle of Melbourne’s CBD.

Victoria’s new flagship store opened on Bourke Street after being converted from a run-down Target store in July 2021 – but due to the pandemic, the giant budget superstore opened its doors without any fanfare.

With the country now embracing post-Covid life, more and more Australians are stumbling across the “insane” multi-level Kmart store, prompting many to describe it as a hidden gem.

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There’s a giant three-storey Kmart hiding in plain sight in Melbourne’s CBD. Picture: Reddit

The multi-level shop is Australia’s biggest Kmart store and recent won Store Design of the Year 2022 at the Retail Asia awards. Picture: Supplied

Kmart CEO John Gualtieri said the slick new superstore is has many “firsts” including a display moment for online exclusive items, allowing shoppers to see the item before buying it from the website.

“Kmart Melbourne CBD marked a brand new concept for us, as our very first three-level store,” Mr Gualtieri told news.com.au.

“The store has over 5000sq m for customers to enjoy, with more space to shop the everyday products they love and over 170 dedicated Kmart team members as well.”

He went on to explain the store – Australia’s biggest Kmart shop – is “an elevated experience” that includes digital interactivity for a “better customer experience”.

There are many Kmart ‘firsts’ in-store – including an area to view online exclusive items. Picture: Supplied

It’s incredibly spacious. Picture: Supplied

In fact, the store is so impressive, it won Store Design of the Year 2022 Australia at the Retail Asia awards.

The opening, one of 100 in the last few years, comes off the back of fresh data which shows nine out of 10 retail shoppers visited a Kmart store at least once last year.

“Amazingly 83 per cent of Australians live within 10km of a Kmart or K hub store,” Mr Gualtieri said.

The ground floor is dedicated to apparel, accessories and beauty, while the first floor is focused on home offers as well as kids’ toys and apparel, ane the basement houses active equipment, technology and customer services.

The new store opened in July 2021 during the pandemic. Picture: Supplied

On TikTok, shoppers have been raving about the giant store’s features, describing the massive shop as “insane”.

“I could spend hours in here,” one user wrote.

“This place has everything,” another said.

Others shared their shock at the sheer size of the store, expressing their wish a Kmart of this size to open near them.

“EXCUSE ME? 3 STOREYS,” one said.

“Manifesting they bring one to Sydney,” another wrote.

And one WA user shared: “OMFG imagine if they did this for the three-storey target in Perth city?”