Kmart's new online queue system has shoppers fuming

Customers have been left fuming after Kmart began trialling its new online queueing feature, which sees shoppers forced to wait in a virtual line before entering the retailer's site.

The feature has been presented as a solution to coronavirus restrictions that have seen millions of Aussies turn to online shopping amid the pandemic.

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But people aren't happy with the new feature, calling it "nonsense" and "horrifically engineered".

Kmart's new system sees shoppers assigned a number when they enter the website, which represents their place in the virtual queue, along with an estimated waiting time.

In theory, the system should moderate traffic on the site and prevent the online store from crashing due to an overwhelming number of visitors.

But in practice, the virtual queue has left a lot to be desired.

Many shoppers called the queue unnecessary, saying that Kmart should focus on improving its online systems to handle more traffic rather than forcing customers to wait.

"This should not be a thing! You should have the infrastructure to handle 'high volumes'," one Twitter user wrote.

Some suggested the retailer invest in additional bandwidth and better IT services to handle more online customers.

Others noticed flaws in the system, such as queue numbers timing out after 10 minutes, forcing shoppers to start the process all over again.

"Can you please fire the guy who got this idea? How stupid this is to blame #COVID19 for tech issues," another tweeted.

Others even thought the new queuing systems was a belated April Fool's joke, one writing: "I actually thought that this was an April fool joke, I suggest you sack your IT dept, I'm not queuing up for 4 minutes. You just lost a customer."

Many said that if the new system was designed to encourage shoppers to go online rather than head in-store, it is going to fail.

Australians have been warned to avoid leaving the house unless absolutely essential, with many retail stores closing up shop in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Kmart's retail stores currently remain open.

Those Aussies that do need to venture in-store have been advised to practice social distancing and adhere to strict hygiene rules while shopping.

9Honey has reached out to Kmart for comment.

Coronavirus: What you need to know

What is social distancing?

Social distancing involved minimising contact with people and maintaining a distance of over one metre between you and others.

When practicing social distancing, you should avoid public transport, limit non-essential travel, work from home and skip large gatherings.

It is okay to go outdoors. However, when you do leave home, avoid touching your face and frequently wash your hands.

If I'm young and healthy, do I still have to practice social distancing?

Yes. While older people are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, young people are not immune. People that show mild or no symptoms may still pass the virus to others, particularly in the early stages of the infection, before many patients realise that they are sick.