Kmart to close Adelaide store, cull 100 jobs

Department store Kmart Australia is set to close its Port Adelaide store in the coming months, resulting in 100 job losses.

The closure decision followed what the retailer described as “a regular review” of its store network and the company believes there are other stores close enough to support all of its Adelaide customers.

A Kmart spokesperson told Inside Retail that affected employees would be redirected to opportunities within the “wider Wesfarmers business” when the store closes.

“Our focus is on supporting our Port Adelaide team, with all permanent team members being offered like-for-like roles at nearby Kmart stores and we are hopeful that many of the remaining non-permanent team members will be able to be redeployed in other Kmart stores and other Wesfarmers businesses.”

The Port Adelaide store – located within the Port Adelaide Plaza Shopping Centre – was described as “popular” among shoppers and employed 80 casual staff members and 20 full-time team members.

“We want to thank the Port Adelaide community for their support over many years,” the spokesperson said.

In line with the closure, shoppers are now being directed to nearby Kmart stores in West Lakes and Churchill and online.

Last June, the shopping centre underwent a $50 million redevelopment which left 97 per cent of the centre’s available space leased.

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