IT will be back to the future for Bathurst shoppers when Kmart opens its doors in the Armada Shopping Centre on October 29, 13 years after vacating the same site.
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Kmart closed in the shopping centre, then known as Stockland, back in 2007 to be replaced by a Target outlet.
The move was warmly welcomed by Bathurst shoppers at the time but sluggish national trading figures by Target in recent years has forced another change in tack by parent company Wesfarmers.
Wesfarmers announced in May that a number of its Target outlets would be converted to Kmarts before confirming in July that the Bathurst store was among those to be impacted.
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Bathurst's Target outlet closed for the last time on Saturday and workers have begun a three-week refurbishment to fit the 3875 square metre space as a "fresh Kmart layout" that a spokesperson said was being rolled out nationally.
The spokesperson said all staff at the Bathurst Target store had been offered jobs with Kmart and most would join the new Kmart team.
However, Kmart is also recruiting for some additional roles in the new Bathurst store.
"From irresistibly low-priced products through to brightly lit, easy to shop product worlds across clothing, toys and home, the new store design includes central self-serve check outs, wider aisles for easy wheel chair and pram access and bolder graphics for navigation, and a more convenient shopping experience," the spokesperson said.
"And the best part? You'll be welcomed into store with some familiar faces. All Target team members have been offered roles at Kmart and most will be transitioning over."
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