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Kmart shoppers are devastated after the retail giant announced that it will be closing one of its popular stores after almost 40 years of serving loyal customers.

It has now been confirmed that the shop, located in Melbourne’s Northcote Plaza, will close in November later this year, after being open since August 1981.

Kmart, along with two Coles supermarkets in the shopping complex, has been bought by private investors for around $60 million in total, as reported in Commercial Real Estate.

New Lease On Life

A developer-investor, WA-based Ly Pty Ltd, bought the Kmart store and it is understood the new owner intends to reposition the large one-hectare property once Kmart vacates.

Kmart spokesman Steven Mann spoke to local newspaper the Northcote Leader saying that around 135 staff members had jobs at the store and assured permanent staff that they would be relocated to other jobs once the store closed its doors.

Many shoppers have expressed disappointment that the shop will be closing down – especially after providing a discounted retail fix for almost 40 years.

However, others recognise that the centre desperately needs an overhaul and with Kmart gone, many shoppers will take their dollars elsewhere.

Last year, parent company Wesfarmers reported that earnings for Kmart and Target had been “below expectations” and that sales for Kmart had been flat in 2019.

Big W Closures

This closure comes at a time when another discount retailer Big W, is starting the process of shutting down 30 stores across the country.

The Auburn store, together with nearby Chullora and Fairfield, are the first three Big W stores to shut its doors.

Elsewhere across the country, 2020 has already been plagued with many retailers shutting shop. Popular fashion accessory brand Collette has recently gone into administration. Harris Scarfe and EB Games have also announced store closures.

Are you affected by the Kmart or Big W closures? Tell us in the comments below.

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  • Our Target closed and became a kmart. Much more suited to the area

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  • Thankfully my local hasn’t. I’ve only just discovered how great the Kmart home section is.

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  • So many stores now closed

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  • I worked at target during high school and then it closed down. About a couple of years ago Big W closed down and everything was half price or less.
    Now we only have kmart in the local area which is a shame! The two centres really need some dazzling up to attract more people but shutting stores like these really won’t do the centres any good.

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  • What has opened up there now?

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  • Ofcourse people will be unhappy about the closing. 40 years is a looong time. That’s not good news for the localites.

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  • Oh snap. A chain store closure. Not good. Not good.

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  • We lost one big w but because we still have one in town it hasn’t really effected us with shopping but Definitely took alot of people’s jobs here

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  • So sad to have these big shops closing down. Online shopping just isn’t the same.

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  • Far too many stores are closing! Target, K Mart, Big W mostly replaced with each other or a supermarket

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  • So many closures ????

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  • Doesn’t affect me too much. Whilst it’s sad about the loss of jobs as a result of the closure I can’t say that I frequent those stores enough for it to worry me.

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  • The way they have changed the stores cutting back on staff and selling a lot of junk clothes they really have changed with quality. I bought a tee shirt and had to buy it in two sizes bigger also some of the tops were so thin you could see straight through them.

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  • I’m so glad it’s not my local but I hear that my target will now be becoming a Kmart. I’m disappointed and excited by this news

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  • I can’t believe that such a large retailer as Kmart would not be doing well.
    They have really had their finger on the pulse in recent years with the lowering of prices and great designs and products in the homewares range. I thought they were doing really well. That leaves little hope for us smaller retailer’s

    Reply

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