Target Australia: Store closure timeline and conversions to Kmart explained
Dozens of Target Australia stores are set to close in 2021 and dozens more are set to be converted into Kmart stores as parent company Wesfarmers works to shore up its retail division.
News of the downsizing of the Target brand first broke in May last year, when it was announced that the profitability of the once-favoured department store was falling.
So what is the current timeline for Target stores, and which ones will close?
Here's what we know about downsizing as we head into 2021.
READ MORE: Full list of the Target stores closing, rebranding as Kmart
Locals in Moranbah will be forced to travel 300km to get to the nearest department store after their Target Country store closes. Nine
How many Target stores will close?
Approximately 75 Target stores have just months before their shutters will close forever in the next few months.
This includes "10 to 25" (Wesfarmers' wording) standard Target stores and 50 Target Country stores.
You can see a full list of which Target stores are closing, and when, at the bottom of this article.
READ MORE: Kmart unveils three new 'K Hub' stores as Target conversion gets underway
The new 'K Hub' stores will replace former Target Country outlets. Kmart Australia
Why are Target stores closing?
Business analysis by parent company Wesfarmers has shown a changing retail landscape in which consumers are opting for "cheap and cheerful" products from retailers such as Kmart, mixed with some high-end purchases.
Despite its great brand recognition, Target as a large-format retail offering was potentially cannibalising sales from sister group Kmart, and didn't offer a great enough point of difference compared to Myer and David Jones.
READ MORE: Target's departure: What's next for one of Australia's most iconic retailers
Shoppers will be able to pickup thousands of products that were bought online. Kmart Australia
What will happen to Target staff?
The business has said staff impacted by store closures will be "given consideration" for roles elsewhere in the business.
Wesfarmers also owns other retail juggernauts in Bunnings and Officeworks.
Staff in stores that are being converted into Kmart will receive an offer of employment from that Kmart.
Is Target going online?
Conceivably, because the Target brand is still very strongly recognised in Australia, its new focus once closures and conversions are complete will most likely be online.
"The network will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis to support our transition to a smaller, more focused and more optimised business. Importantly, our online business will still be available 24 hours a day," Target Australia said in a business update.
"We'll be increasing our digital capabilities, so that we can continue to meet growing demand in this space."
READ MORE: Kmart, Target to roll out safety changes after kids suffer horrific injuries
Target's website is up and running, and will presumably only grow from here. Target Australia
Which stores are being converted into Kmart?
Around 80 stores will be converted into Kmart stores, all around the nation.
All of these conversions will take place between "early to mid-2021". Many have already begun or been finished.
You can see a full list of stores below.
Target stores closing or being converted to Kmart stores in Queensland. Nine
TARGET STORES THAT ARE CLOSING
STORE LOCATION | STATE | Closure Months |
ARMIDALE | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
ATHERTON | QLD | early 2021 |
BACCHUS MARSH | VIC | early-mid 2021 |
BAIRNSDALE | VIC | early-mid 2021 |
BEAUDESERT | QLD | early-mid 2021 |
BENALLA | VIC | mid 2021 |
BILOELA | QLD | early 2021 |
BUSSELTON | WA | September 2020 |
CAIRNS | QLD | mid 2021 |
CAMPBELLTOWN | NSW | Jul 2020 |
CASINO RETAIL CENTRE | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
CASTLETOWN | QLD | early 2021 |
CLARE | SA | early-mid 2021 |
CLIFTON BEACH | QLD | early-mid 2021 |
COLAC | VIC | early-mid 2021 |
COOMA | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
COOTAMUNDRA | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
COROWA | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
DENILIQUIN | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
DEVONPORT | TAS | early-mid 2021 |
EMERALD | QLD | early-mid 2021 |
FORBES | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
FULHAM GARDENS | SA | August 2020 |
GOONELLABAH | NSW | early 2021 |
HERVEY BAY | QLD | early 2021 |
KALGOORLIE | WA | September 2020 |
KARRATHA | WA | early-mid 2021 |
KERANG | VIC | early-mid 2021 |
KIPPA RING | QLD | early 2021 |
KUNUNURRA | WA | early-mid 2021 |
LANGWARRIN | VIC | early-mid 2021 |
LEETON | NSW | early 2021 |
LONGREACH | QLD | early-mid 2021 |
MANJIMUP | WA | early-mid 2021 |
MARGARET RIVER | WA | early-mid 2021 |
MARYBOROUGH | VIC | early-mid 2021 |
MEADOW SPRINGS | WA | Aug 2020 |
MERIMBULA | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
MERREDIN | WA | early-mid 2021 |
MILLICENT | SA | early 2021 |
MORANBAH | QLD | early-mid 2021 |
MORISSET | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
MURGON | QLD | early-mid 2021 |
MURWILLUMBAH | NSW | early 2021 |
MYRTLEFORD | VIC | early-mid 2021 |
NARACOORTE | SA | early-mid 2021 |
NARRABRI | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
NARROGIN | WA | early-mid 2021 |
NOWRA | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
OCEAN KEYS | WA | October 2020 |
PARKES | NSW | September 2020 |
PASADENA | SA | June 2020 |
PORT LINCOLN | SA | early 2021 |
SALAMANDER BAY | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
SCONE | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
TRARALGON | VIC | early-mid 2021 |
WAGGA WAGGA | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
WARRAGUL | VIC | early-mid 2021 |
WESTON CREEK | ACT | early-mid 2021 |
WINMALEE | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
TARGET STORES THAT ARE BEING CONVERTED INTO KMART
STORE LOCATION | STATE | Closure Months |
ARARAT | VIC | early-mid 2021 |
AYR | QLD | early-mid 2021 |
BATHURST | NSW | Oct 2020 |
BEERWAH | QLD | early-mid 2021 |
BEGA | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
BERRI | SA | early 2021 |
BONDI JUNCTION | NSW | early 2021 |
BROKEN HILL | NSW | early-mid 2021 |
BROOME | WA | Oct 2020 |
BOWEN | QLD | early 2021 |
BOWRAL | NSW | early 2021 |
CAMBERWELL | VIC | Oct 2020 |
CAROLINE SPRINGS | VIC | late 2021 |
CASEY | VIC | Oct 2020 |
CASTLEMAINE | VIC | Sep 2020 |
CHARTERS TOWERS | QLD | early 2021 |
CHINCHILLA | QLD | early 2021 |
CRAIGIEBURN | VIC | early 2021 |
COBRAM | VIC | Jul 2020 |
DALBY | QLD | early 2021 |
DONCASTER | VIC | early 2021 |
DUBBO | NSW | Oct 2020 |
ECHUCA | VIC | Jul 2020 |
EPPING | VIC | early-mid 2021 |
ESPERANCE | WA | early 2021 |
FOREST LAKE | QLD | early 2021 |
GATTON | QLD | early 2021 |
GERALDTON | WA | early-mid 2021 |
GOONDIWINDI | QLD | early 2021 |
GREEN HILLS | NSW | early 2020 |
GUNNEDAH | NSW | early 2021 |
GYMPIE | QLD | early 2021 |
HAMILTON | VIC | early 2021 |
INGHAM | QLD | early 2021 |
KATHERINE | NT | early 2021 |
KATOOMBA | NSW | early 2021 |
KYABRAM | VIC | Sep 2020 |
LAKES ENTRANCE | VIC | early 2021 |
LEONGATHA | VIC | early 2021 |
LIVERPOOL | NSW | mid 2021 |
MANSFIELD | VIC | early 2021 |
MACQUARIE | NSW | early 2021 |
MAREEBA | QLD | early 2021 |
MIRANDA | NSW | early 2021 |
MOREE | NSW | early 2021 |
MUDGEE | NSW | early 2021 |
MURRAY BRIDGE | SA | early 2021 |
NOOSA JUNCTION | QLD | early 2021 |
NORTHAM | WA | early 2021 |
OCEAN SHORES VILLAGE CTR | NSW | early 2021 |
PERTH CBD | WA | mid 2021 |
PICTON | NSW | early 2021 |
PINJARRA | WA | early 2021 |
PORT AUGUSTA | SA | early 2021 |
PORT DOUGLAS | QLD | early 2021 |
PORTLAND | VIC | early 2021 |
RHODES | NSW | early 2021 |
ROMA | QLD | early 2021 |
ROUSE HILL | NSW | early 2021 |
SARINA | QLD | early 2021 |
SEYMOUR | VIC | Jul 2020 |
STANTHORPE | QLD | early 2021 |
SUCCESS | WA | Oct 2020 |
SWAN HILL | VIC | early 2021 |
TUMUT | NSW | early 2021 |
ULLADULLA | NSW | early 2021 |
VICTOR HARBOR | SA | early 2021 |
WATERGARDENS | VIC | early-mid 2021 |
WARRINGAH MALL | NSW | mid 2021 |
WARWICK | QLD | early 2021 |
WETHERILL PARK | NSW | Oct 2020 |
WHITFORD CITY | WA | mid 2021 |
WHYALLA | SA | Oct 2020 |
WINDSOR TOWN S/C | NSW | early 2021 |
WONTHAGGI | VIC | Oct 2020 |
WOODEND | VIC | Sep 2020 |
YAMBA | NSW | early 2021 |
YARRAWONGA | VIC | early 2021 |
YASS | NSW | early 2021 |
YEPPOON | QLD | early 2021 |
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