Kmart's Anko range launches at Target and shoppers are baffled

"I thought the merger was more of a back-end thing but it doesn't seem that way now," someone wrote on the picture that left shoppers "heartbroken."

We heard the news last year that two of Australia's most iconic retail chains were set to become one, with Kmart and Target merging into a single company.

Now, at the beginning of 2024, shoppers have started to discover just what that merger will actually look like. 

Target stores across the country have begun to roll out Kmart's Anko range, in a move that is shocking customers everywhere. 

But it's not just the introduction of the cult range that's causing a stir. According to some, it's about what it's replacing.

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Image: Facebook

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The shocking photo of Target shelves

One customer took to the Kmart Hacks and Decor group to share a 'baffling' sight on a recent trip to Target. 

"This is Target..." the woman wrote, alongside snaps of shelves packed with Anko water bottles. 

In striking contrast, she also posted a photo showing empty shelves nearby, eerily marked with 40% discount tags poking out from above the bare aisles.

"Talking to the staff it appears that Target is losing their electrical and homewares section and replacing it with Kmart's Anko range… WTF!!!" the woman added.

Image: Facebook

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"Why even bother having two stores?"

She wasn't the only person who found the sight concerning. "Whaaat? Why even bother having two stores?" one person wrote. 

Another customer claimed, "That sucks. Sometimes you just want better quality products."

"Very heartbroken by this," someone else admitted, while a different user said, "This is sad."

Other shoppers said they had also noticed similar changes. One stated, "Went into my local Target the other day, it was empty."

"They're also replacing their nursery items with Anko too," shared someone else. "What a shame," someone replied. "Target's kids' clothes are far better than Kmart's."

Others said the move meant they would no longer be shopping at Target. 

"If I wanted Kmart stuff, I would go to Kmart. Guess I won't go to either now," read one comment. 

Another person said, "I won't be shopping at Target anymore. It used to be one of my favourites."

Then this person said, "I thought the merger was more of a back-end thing but it doesn't seem that way now."

More than just a back-end merger

The Australian Financial Review first reported in July last year that Kmart and Target, who are both owned by Wesfarmers, would be combined into a $10 billion business.

At that point, it was understood that it would just be "Kmart and Target offices, technology and other back-end processes customers don't see" that would be combined. 

However, later in August, Wesfarmers revealed that Anko products would be rolled out in Target from 2024. 

"Select Anko ranges across home and general merchandise [will be introduced] into Target stores," a statement read. 

It also said that a quarter of Target’s stock will be Anko products going forward.

Originally published as Kmart's Anko range launches at Target and shoppers are baffled