Cootamundra’s Target store is set to close in early to mid 2021 after an announcement was made late this week by parent company Wesfarmers.
The shock announcement comes just weeks after it was revealed that three Target stores across 3 states were earmarked for closure.
A Target spokeswoman originally confirmed the store in Pasadena in South Australia would close on May 30, with affected team members informed of the closure in late January.
It will be followed by the closure of the Target branch in Campbelltown in Sydney’s southwest on July 4, with staff of that store informed in early March.
The Meadow Springs shop in Mandurah, Western Australia will also close on August 1, with employees told in mid-January.
In a statement, a Target spokeswoman said the company was minimising job losses where possible.
“During this difficult time, we are committed to supporting our team. Across the Kmart Group we have made a significant effort to avoid store closures and retain our people and for impacted store team members we have the benefit of time to help find alternative employment opportunities,” the spokeswoman said.
“All team members in Target stores scheduled for conversion to Kmart will be offered the opportunity to join the growing Kmart team, for other affected Target team members, we will work with them to identify and offer other redeployment opportunities in Kmart, Catch, Bunnings and Officeworks as these businesses continue to grow.
“We believe that Target has a future as a leading retailer in Australia and we know it is loved by so many, but a number of actions are required to ensure it is fit for purpose in a competitive, challenging and dynamic market, including a smaller number of stores and a stronger online business.”
So far, Target has confirmed 53 stores across all states and territories except the Northern Territory.
NSW closures include:
• Armidale, early-mid 2021
• Campbelltown, July 2020
• Casino Retail Centre, early-mid 2021
• Cooma, early-mid 2021
• Cootamundra, early-mid 2021
• Corowa, early-mid 2021
• Deniliquin, early-mid 2021
• Forbes, early-mid 2021
• Goonellabah, early 2021
• Leeton, early 2021
• Merimbula, early-mid 2021
• Morisset, early-mid 2021
• Murwillumbah, early 2021
• Narrabri, early-mid 2021
• Nowra, early-mid 2021
• Salamander Bay, early-mid 2021
• Scone, early-mid 2021
• Wagga Wagga, early-mid 2021
• Winmalee, early-mid 2021
Check out this week’s Cootamundra Times for more information.