Shoppers divided as Target stores conduct clearance sales amid Kmart merger
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The Australian retail landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, leaving some shoppers bereft.
The latest change?
Target stores across the country are now stocking Kmart's Anko branded products, which has left some customers 'in mourning' as others celebrate.
Kaitlin and Josh, a couple from New South Wales, were among the first to notice the change.
They had rushed to their local Target store, hoping to snag some bargains after hearing about a clearance sale.
But instead of finding discounted Target products, they discovered that the store's shelves were filled with Kmart's Anko brand.
The couple's disappointment was palpable.
‘I quite literally ran to Target this morning when I’d seen everyone talking about the clearance sale, but my Target’s already turning into Kmart,’ Kaitlin said in a video captioned 'petition to bring back Target’.
'There’s literally nothing Target left in the store, it’s all Anko.’
She lamented the loss of Target's bedding and homewares, which she felt were superior to Kmart's offerings.
'Target bedding was elite, and now it’s just all Kmart,' she said.
'I don’t understand the point.'
Many customers have expressed their disappointment and surprise at the change.
'I’m mad about it,' said one shopper.
'If I wanted to shop at Kmart, I would shop at Kmart. Target was always that bit nicer.'
Another customer said they were 'broken to their core,' adding: 'I’m in a state of mourning now.'
However, not everyone is upset about the change.
Some customers, particularly those who live far from a Kmart store, are delighted.
'If this is true, I’m happy I have a Target literally a 2-minute drive from my house,' one said.
You can watch Kaitlin and Josh’s video below:
Credit: @kaitlinknight / TikTok
While Kaitlin and Josh were a bit late to catch any marked-down items, other shoppers were more fortunate.
Starr McGowan, a social media personality, recently shared her shopping haul from Target, where she scored eight items for less than $25.
'I just got all of this stuff from Target for $22! Are you kidding me?' she exclaimed in her video.
She explained that Target is having a massive sale because they're bringing in all the Anko stuff from Kmart.
This unexpected benefit of the merger has been a boon for bargain hunters, with massive markdowns on homewares, baby items, clothing, and beauty products.
‘Target is having a massive sale because they're bringing in all the Anko stuff from Kmart. So I was thinking, maybe I'll get like $5 off or something, but no, there were things marked down from $70 to $2,’ she said.
‘There are huge markdowns on a lot of the homewares, the baby stuff, beauty products, and I actually went at the best time as when I was walking around, the people were putting the $2 tags on all of these clothes.’
Starr's video showcased a three-piece linen-blend teal suit she snagged for $6, a purchase she was 'so happy' with and was 'going to buy anyway when it was full price.'
She captioned her video: ‘Kinda spewing that Target and Kmart are merging homewares as actually really like the Target stuff but happy with these bargains.’
She also shared in a follow-up video that she scored beauty and skincare storage containers for $5 each, a candle holder for $1.50, and a linen beach cover-up for $2.
Despite her excitement, Starr warned her followers to 'get there ASAP' as they might run out of stock and people will miss out.
Watch Starr’s video below:
Credit: @starr / TikTok
Her video has since sparked a flurry of reactions, with many of her followers sharing their own bargain finds.
‘I want to go,’ replied one person.
Another shared, ‘No way, can't believe you got all this.’
Another added, "Okay, Target, SLAY."
Others shared that they scored a few bargains themselves.
‘I got two mirrors. $180 down to $40 and $80 down to $20 and some home stuff,’ wrote one shopper.
‘I got $22 PJs for $2,’ shared another.
Here is Starr’s follow-up video below:
Credit: @starr / TikTok
The Target-Kmart Merger: A Brief Overview
It was first reported in July last year that Kmart and Target, both owned by Wesfarmers, would be merged into a $10 billion business.
Initially, it was understood that only the 'Kmart and Target offices, technology and other back-end processes customers don't see' would be combined.
However, 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 stated that a quarter of Target’s stock will be Anko products going forward.
What are your thoughts on this major change? Have you managed to score any great deals at the Target clearance sale? Share them with us in the comments below.
The latest change?
Target stores across the country are now stocking Kmart's Anko branded products, which has left some customers 'in mourning' as others celebrate.
Kaitlin and Josh, a couple from New South Wales, were among the first to notice the change.
They had rushed to their local Target store, hoping to snag some bargains after hearing about a clearance sale.
Shoppers Kaitlin and Josh rushed to their local Target to find good deals. Credit: @kaitlinknight / TikTok
But instead of finding discounted Target products, they discovered that the store's shelves were filled with Kmart's Anko brand.
The couple's disappointment was palpable.
‘I quite literally ran to Target this morning when I’d seen everyone talking about the clearance sale, but my Target’s already turning into Kmart,’ Kaitlin said in a video captioned 'petition to bring back Target’.
'There’s literally nothing Target left in the store, it’s all Anko.’
She lamented the loss of Target's bedding and homewares, which she felt were superior to Kmart's offerings.
'Target bedding was elite, and now it’s just all Kmart,' she said.
'I don’t understand the point.'
Many customers have expressed their disappointment and surprise at the change.
'I’m mad about it,' said one shopper.
'If I wanted to shop at Kmart, I would shop at Kmart. Target was always that bit nicer.'
Another customer said they were 'broken to their core,' adding: 'I’m in a state of mourning now.'
However, not everyone is upset about the change.
Some customers, particularly those who live far from a Kmart store, are delighted.
'If this is true, I’m happy I have a Target literally a 2-minute drive from my house,' one said.
You can watch Kaitlin and Josh’s video below:
Credit: @kaitlinknight / TikTok
While Kaitlin and Josh were a bit late to catch any marked-down items, other shoppers were more fortunate.
Starr McGowan, a social media personality, recently shared her shopping haul from Target, where she scored eight items for less than $25.
'I just got all of this stuff from Target for $22! Are you kidding me?' she exclaimed in her video.
She explained that Target is having a massive sale because they're bringing in all the Anko stuff from Kmart.
This unexpected benefit of the merger has been a boon for bargain hunters, with massive markdowns on homewares, baby items, clothing, and beauty products.
‘Target is having a massive sale because they're bringing in all the Anko stuff from Kmart. So I was thinking, maybe I'll get like $5 off or something, but no, there were things marked down from $70 to $2,’ she said.
‘There are huge markdowns on a lot of the homewares, the baby stuff, beauty products, and I actually went at the best time as when I was walking around, the people were putting the $2 tags on all of these clothes.’
Starr's video showcased a three-piece linen-blend teal suit she snagged for $6, a purchase she was 'so happy' with and was 'going to buy anyway when it was full price.'
She captioned her video: ‘Kinda spewing that Target and Kmart are merging homewares as actually really like the Target stuff but happy with these bargains.’
She also shared in a follow-up video that she scored beauty and skincare storage containers for $5 each, a candle holder for $1.50, and a linen beach cover-up for $2.
Despite her excitement, Starr warned her followers to 'get there ASAP' as they might run out of stock and people will miss out.
Watch Starr’s video below:
Credit: @starr / TikTok
Her video has since sparked a flurry of reactions, with many of her followers sharing their own bargain finds.
‘I want to go,’ replied one person.
Another shared, ‘No way, can't believe you got all this.’
Another added, "Okay, Target, SLAY."
Others shared that they scored a few bargains themselves.
‘I got two mirrors. $180 down to $40 and $80 down to $20 and some home stuff,’ wrote one shopper.
‘I got $22 PJs for $2,’ shared another.
Here is Starr’s follow-up video below:
Credit: @starr / TikTok
The Target-Kmart Merger: A Brief Overview
It was first reported in July last year that Kmart and Target, both owned by Wesfarmers, would be merged into a $10 billion business.
Initially, it was understood that only the 'Kmart and Target offices, technology and other back-end processes customers don't see' would be combined.
However, 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 stated that a quarter of Target’s stock will be Anko products going forward.
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