Kmart - Why Is It Popular?

bulletbill88 on 08/05/2023 - 20:37

I cannot understand the attractiveness of Kmart so I thought I would create a poll. Below is my take.

Kmart happens to be the closest "department store" to my house and sometimes I go there for convenience. Nearly everytime I regret it because it is mostly filled with low quality trash that is destined for a very short life and then landfill. Seriously, anything "anko" branded is just straight up bare minimum quality from China that will only hold up for a couple of uses before it ends up in the bin.

In addition to the low, low quality of the house branded stuff that now dominates, they have cleared out nearly all the brands they used to sell and 90% of the floorspace is clothing, homewares and toys. The electronics section is gone, the automotive, sports, outdoors, tools, pets etc reduced to basically nothing. Its actually hard to find anything useful there.

I would take a Big W, Target or even a Harris Scarfe any day over Kmart and yet apparently Kmart is more profitable and more popular. What gives? Is it the influence of "mummy bloggers" spruiking the latest "hacks" for what to do with cheap crap from Kmart? The general attractiveness of cheap irrespective of value for money? Because I honestly don't understand the attraction of buying their crap and none of it would represent a bargain.

Poll Options expired

  • 92
    Kmart is great, lots of bargains.
  • 550
    Kmart is ok, there are some bargains to be found.
  • 81
    Kmart is full of overpriced rubbish. Prefer shopping elsewhere.
  • 25
    I wouldn't shop at Kmart if it was the last store on earth.
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Comments

  • Gunnar on 08/05/2023 - 20:42
    +21

    Cheap stuff that looks somewhat decent and will be landfill in a few years time. Often bought by people passionate about climate change but have not put two and two together.

    For the most part I’m not a fan but occasionally I’ve bought some okay stuff from there that does the job

    • username1 on 10/05/2023 - 06:18
      +7

      Climate change? Your first paragraph could be applied to anything.

    • smartazz104 on 10/05/2023 - 07:57
      +31

      Often bought by people passionate about climate change

      Citation needed.

    • chrismelba on 10/05/2023 - 09:53
      -2

      You can be worried about climate change but not care about landfill.

      • Tnetennba on 10/05/2023 - 11:25
        +5

        Yeah but you should be able to see the waste of emissions and materials (especially plastics) going into the products that are destined for landfill. Landfill itself is not the problem, really, if everything had a longer life and better use of recycling (which itself is a massive failure)

      • sir-screwball on 10/05/2023 - 16:28
        +4

        If you're worried about climate change and not worried about landfill, you're an idiot

    • skidexa on 10/05/2023 - 12:39
      -3

      Most stuff will become landfill one way or another, does that mean people with climate change concerns should not buy anything at all?

      • chrismelba on 10/05/2023 - 13:18
        +2

        A surprisingly popular point of view yes.

      • bhubb18 on 15/05/2023 - 13:57

        It means people should be conscious of what they buy, yes

    • brandt on 11/05/2023 - 13:42

      often bought by people who do not have two and two pennies to rub together

  • bobbified on 08/05/2023 - 20:56

    I haven't bought anything from KMart for many years, but I used to love going there while my parents' did their weekly grocery shop around there.

  • Muzeeb on 08/05/2023 - 20:58
    +6

    Seriously, anything "anko" branded is just straight up bare minimum quality

    K-Hub stores only contain 90%+ anko branded products only. I suggest you don't shop there op.

  • payless69 on 08/05/2023 - 20:58
    +2

    My Macbook runs on a Kmart mouse! Very happy with it, as good as many Logitech I already have. Our last 3 rice cookers are from there. My 6 fishing rods.
    You will find Wesfarmers group stores having preperly trained staff. To me this matters by a great deal! They are steadily growing with Target sort of doubling up but hey they listen to customers. They just bought the Silk Lazer Clinics own also industrial supplies, just google it.

    • Anthonese on 08/05/2023 - 21:05
      +3

      Wesfarmers group stores having preperly trained staff

      Not my experience. The 16/17 year olds employed at my local are not properly trained and most lack initiative and common sense

      • payless69 on 09/05/2023 - 08:21
        -1

        Could be regionally. We moved from a Coles to a Woolies location, good service to crap: Both my kids would only work for Coles.
        When Woolies tried with hardware it was a chain of events: Alternative products with no backup but staff with pulling shoulders meh Wesfarmers actually has a concept.
        No Aldi here, no Costco. I buy my undies from Big W and some specials are fine too.

        • Hearthstone on 11/05/2023 - 16:35

          Did you know Big W stands for Big Woolies ?
          Also owned by Woolies 😆

          • payless69 on 11/05/2023 - 19:37

            @Hearthstone: And the Endavour corporation is not the charity we all know but the "Drunkyards" of Woolies. (BWS, Dan M. and pubs)
            Coles is a Stapletailer, its related Wesfarmers is a Discretioner all the way to a materials supplier to a leg shaver….
            Crazy world.

      • I like freestuff on 09/05/2023 - 22:12
        +1

        So the same as any 16/17 year old.

    • barge-in hunter on 08/05/2023 - 21:22
      +64

      Our last 3 rice cookers are from there

      Mmm.

      • amberstyre on 10/05/2023 - 14:03
        +5

        That says it all about the quality.

        Sure I paid $100 for my rice cooker but it's been going 10+years with regular use…

  • Ghost47 on 08/05/2023 - 21:03
    +5

    I think people like Kmart because it's cheap. Doesn't mean the quality is any good.

    I only really look at books whenever I visit.

  • El cheepo on 08/05/2023 - 21:07
    +16

    Cheap, convenient and generally presents deceptively well thus disguising the utter crap quality it really is.

    I love it.

  • Clear on 08/05/2023 - 21:15
    +9

    I miss the days of the American brands they stocked like Australia's Choice. Good cola and good cookies.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 08/05/2023 - 21:16
    +24

    Been happy with the toddlers clothing, makes sense considering how fast they grow out of it. Also a fan of their basics tshirts. As the clothes get a bit old they are repurposed as cleaning rags for my workshop. Win win.

    • Munki on 09/05/2023 - 16:50
      -2

      Tell Pam I said hi.

    • sir-screwball on 10/05/2023 - 16:30

      My family has been handing around the same baby clothes for about a decade. Good quality stuff that has lasted at least 6 babies so far and is showing no sign of slowing down. It's all bonds and other brands that I can't remember the name of because I don't have a fascination with it like my wife does.

      I'm sure one day it'll all end up in the rag bin but at the moment it's in vacuum storage in my bedroom waiting for my wife and I's second.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/05/2023 - 16:52

        yeah if you time it right, bonds has some pretty decent sales approaching 50%+ off , I would never pay RRP for their stuff though (baby or adult clothes)

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 11/05/2023 - 10:50
      +1

      I've picked up a few Licensed shirts ($10 or less), though they only last a few years with weekly use.

  • jjjaar on 08/05/2023 - 21:20
    +29

    bare minimum quality from China that will only hold up for a couple of uses before it ends up in the bin.

    I disagree. I can’t recall the last time I threw away something I bought from Kmart. I try to look after all my things though, regardless of where I buy it, and I don’t buy things just for one use/wear.

    I’ve still got the majority of items I’ve bought from there, and the few things I no longer have it’s because I’ve gotten bored of them after years and have donated it or given it away.

    • lordezekiel on 08/05/2023 - 21:23
      +17

      Some people are just grubs and never take care of their stuff.

    • taradavey on 09/05/2023 - 13:43
      +2

      I agree with you. Products I purchase from Big W, Target, Reject Store, are all of similar quality anyway.
      Any more expensive products I have bought generally suffer from the same sort of wear-and-tear.

      I'd suggest that most of these department stores source their products from the same factories of the same quality, it's most likely all a marketing illusion. Target seems fancier because they add $$ to the price point.

    • Dubsys on 09/05/2023 - 20:58
      +4

      Yeah, I've had a $15 toaster from kmart for the past like 6 years and a Kettle for like 3, the last one lasted 5 til it stopped working, beats spending $80+ on something that is just as dubious

  • Benoffie on 08/05/2023 - 21:21
    +4

    It has a good variety in certain lines which are on par with Ikea. If you dont live next to Ikea, Kmart becomes more appealing.

    Some reasonable buys Ive made at Kmart:

    Dish rack after moving (they have around 8 different types which admittedly is stupid)
    LED candles - awesome value
    Halloween decorations are still some of the best
    Cheap trackies etc especially for men

    • GafferFish on 14/05/2023 - 22:02

      This is my reason for going there. I don't have a car so it's hard to get to Ikea but Kmart often has identical or very similar items now.

      I often want very specific items and Kmart has a great range. Their website has so many photos showing items from every angle and it's easy to check if they're in stock (altho sometimes misleading). Their staff members are friendly and helpful, if a little hard to find sometimes but that's the same in any department store.

      Their craft items are super cheap and great for trying out a new craft without committing a large amount of money. That goes for a lot of their stock really - it may not be the best quality, but if you want to try something out the price is right.

      Kmart has designs and prints that appeal to me. Heck yeah $2 tea towels and pot holders and mugs with the same fun print on them!

  • lordezekiel on 08/05/2023 - 21:22
    +18

    Kmart exists solely so people can go to op shops and complain about how "this shirt is only $4 new at kmart!"

  • MeesusEff on 08/05/2023 - 21:23
    +7

    Clothes are alright, I buy the $3-5 tees for my husband and I and the quality is pretty good (target is better but $12). I'll buy kids clothes on clearance for $1-3.

    Little things around the house like the silicon pot mats for 75c are fantastic value and I don't see it breaking down over time lol.

    Wouldn't get their branded electronics or toys

    • truetypezk on 09/05/2023 - 23:03

      I go there almost exclusively for their $0.50~$1 clothing clearance. Target usually just do 75% off at best. Quality is quite okay and definitely more than okay for a dollar.

  • skid on 08/05/2023 - 21:26

    Most of their stuff is ok. What's not are: footwear, socks, t-shirts, underwear.

    • bulletbill88 on 08/05/2023 - 21:28

      That’s what I went looking for last time I there!

  • [Deactivated] on 08/05/2023 - 21:36
    +8

    Kmart happens to be the closest "department store" to my house and sometimes I go there for convenience

    Move

    jk

    Recently had to buy art supplies for a parent/kids day at school and surprisingly, Kmart stuff was quite a reasonable price & quality when I compared it to Officeworks, Spotlight and online art/craft stores.

    I've also purchased cotton bedding from there that has been great & looks/feels more expensive than it was.

    As with everything, you just need to be discerning with what you buy.

  • iamherenow on 08/05/2023 - 21:39
    +1

    Buy some of these next time you are there and you will feel like you got a bargain!

    https://www.kmart.com.au/product/giant-ice-cube-tray-assorte…

  • Wiadro on 08/05/2023 - 21:43
    +1

    too much cheap stuff for me

  • Sammy2000 on 08/05/2023 - 22:07
    +11

    You didn't even mention the weird store layout that forces you to get lost in baby wear when you are trying to find the kitchen items.
    It then forces you to the centre of the store wondering where the entrance to the registers are to line up only to see everyone entering the exit to purchase their cheap underwear. Then you look at what you are about to buy for a few dollars and wondered if it is worth the time you wasted in line waiting.

    • bulletbill88 on 08/05/2023 - 22:18
      +3

      Mine seems to be slowly bailing on having the registers in the middle of the store. There are fewer and fewer in the middle. But to get to the ones at the front they make you take a detour through kids clothing and lollies.

    • Gdsamp on 09/05/2023 - 14:26
      +3

      Idk where you're but every Kmart in WA is laid out roughly the same as everyone else which I think is great. I havent been to Kmart in at least like 5 weeks but I can tell you off the top of my head that Kitchen stuff pretty much always immediately to your right as you enter, men's clothes at the back to the right.

      But agree that the central checkouts are painful.

  • Stopback on 08/05/2023 - 22:11

    ikea is better but it takes me less time to get out of the store,

    if ikea did smaller shops they might make it

    • Ridiculous Panda on 08/05/2023 - 22:56
      +7

      Agree.. on an unrelated note, bunnings is better than jb hifi IMHO.

      • Munki on 09/05/2023 - 16:51
        +14

        Yeah but The Good Guys is better than KFC.

  • AustriaBargain on 08/05/2023 - 23:26
    +3

    Kmart stuff is cheap Chinese stuff but at least the stuff has reached a minimum standard and returns are fairly easy. I noticed Kmart don't bother making proper instruction manuals, they just use the Chinese made ones and put the Anko logo on the front. Also some things at Kmart are priced low like certain kitchenware stuff.

    • md333 on 09/05/2023 - 13:48
      +3

      I actually just got a cordless vacuum from K-Mart and was really impressed with the manual. All in english that didn't look like it was autotranslated from chinese. Actual description of features and how to use it.

      Refreshing change from the 4 pages of warnings and 3 pages of uninterpretable diagrams that seems to be standard these days.

  • Kangal on 08/05/2023 - 23:51
    +22

    I guess I'll go against the mold, and be the first one to say Kmart is great.

    The prices range from cheap to affordable, and the quality ranges from meh to great.
    Obviously, you need to shop with some idea. Getting older and having experience with lots of Chinese Goods, I am able to tell with good accuracy, what to buy and what to avoid.
    Most of their products outlive their expected age. Like the vacuum cleaner, the kettle, or many home stuffs I've bought years ago.

    Knowing what the world looks like outside of Australia, I am very happy and grateful for Kmart. For those that complain: you really don't know what you have till it's gone. Going back to my country of birth, I noticed how convenient I have it. I'm also a fan of Target, Aldi, Woolworths, JB Hifi, and Supercheap Auto…. whereas Bunnings, Good Guys, Officeworks, Dan Murphys, Big W, Myer and Ikea are fine… but not a fan of Costco, Coles, David Jones, Harvey Norman, Priceline, Spotlight, Best Less, EB Games and BCF. If we're talking about the most common retail chains in Australia.

  • El cheepo on 09/05/2023 - 00:34
    +6

    @kangal

    Knowing what the world looks like outside of Australia, I am very happy and grateful for Kmart.

    I agree.

    I would imagine many people have visited 3rd world countries but never seen first hand the standard of living quality.

    While kmart is crap by western standards, it could be rated as high end in other lands.
    Plus the minimum safety and quality of goods is far superior to these other places too…

    Its really only crap comparative to what your standards are.

    • Stopback on 09/05/2023 - 08:21
      +2

      Rich people in third world countries don't have Kmart homes

      • El cheepo on 09/05/2023 - 11:17
        +1

        Exactly!
        And the kmart equivalent stores (or closest thing you could compare to) are even worse and have next to no quality control.

        I’ve lived in a few countries where i was perceived as the rich person, but the houses i lived in would not even be suitable for people to live in in Australia.
        Eg:
        no kitchen, no gas, minimal electricity.

        So aint no complaints here that a anko toaster only lasts a couple years.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/05/2023 - 11:24

          no kitchen

          Sounds like an Uber Eats designed house ;)

  • oz-romeo on 09/05/2023 - 02:29
    +6

    I have tons of things i bought from kmart (anko brand) and have no quality issues with them and they have lasted pretty long as well. I got the vaccum, microwave, toaster, kettle and a bunch of other stuff which i have no complaints about. I also bought camping gear from kmart last year which has held up pretty good after a bunch of trips.

    • rs116 on 11/05/2023 - 10:19
      +1

      Agree. Longivity depends upon people. If we only buy things we need, use/ take care/ store properly, all things will last longer. If we don't take care of expensive stuff, bought at David Jones etc, it may last slightly longer than Kmart stuff but ultimately go to bin. We should be frugal and avoid consumerism.

  • franco cozzo on 09/05/2023 - 02:55
    +7

    Metal Bar Stool - White $29
    https://www.kmart.com.au/product/metal-bar-stool-white-43148…

    Steel Stacking Stool Gloss White $49
    https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/steel-stac…

    …exactly same product almost half the price

    • Brick Tamland on 10/05/2023 - 12:50
      +1

      Weren’t these decapitating people’s toes?

      • franco cozzo on 10/05/2023 - 16:12

        have one in my garage and one in my studio….& still have all my toes!

    • muzzamo on 10/05/2023 - 15:11
      +2

      This sums it up really well.

      There are plenty of other stores that are sourcing the same low-end goods from chinese trade shows or whatever, but of all of these stores k-mart does so with the lowest markup.

      This particularly applies to bulky goods where it just doesn't make sense to buy from amazon/ebay/aliexpress.

  • WreckTangle on 09/05/2023 - 06:28
    +9

    Homewares and fashion actually look quite stylish at Kmart. Their purchasing people are making smart decisions.

  • Sunshines bright on 09/05/2023 - 07:18

    ladies underwear decent quality but very inexpensive. Purchased support pantys at Big W a supposedly low price store for 33.00 went to kmart found similar for 10.09. So hell ya gonna look for bargains at K Mart 1st from now on.

  • sakurakiks on 09/05/2023 - 08:18
    +3

    Good for me for simple staple items like loose shorts & tops, flats, thongs, undies, and they have some decent household items like pillows/cushions, shelving units, chairs, baskets, storage boxes, bathroom organisation objects. I think the last time I went was before I was organising a party? It conveniently had all the decoration, table covers, serving platters, nice disposable cutlery, unique dessert bowls, plastic champagne glasses etc

  • Sinnerator on 09/05/2023 - 08:52
    +1

    Because we don't have enough landfill.
    Let's buy more stuff wrapped in HARD PLASTICS, which is such rubbish quality it ends up in landfill within 3-6 months. rinse repeat…

    • OzzyOzbourne on 11/05/2023 - 14:55

      Is there a store that does not use plastic packaging for equivalent items?

  • DarkOz on 09/05/2023 - 08:53

    Good quality but only 1/2 - 1/5 of the price.

  • 2esc on 09/05/2023 - 09:02

    Some people dont have much choice either in regional areas theres nor many options and when there is a bigw or target the range is limited. I rarely find a reason to go there as i cant find what i want in particular bur with money getting tighter i understand. Some people have no compassion for others financial position.

  • lostgoat on 09/05/2023 - 09:05

    Seriously their home brand Anko is the worst quality crap in OZ .

  • Cheaplikethebird on 09/05/2023 - 11:09
    +2

    Some of their stuff is actually decent, mostly uncomplicated electronics. I've been using their steam mop for 12 months without issue and they sell really cheap replacement pads. My kmart stick blender has been going for 3 years and my only gripes with it I've been told are gripes people have with the namebrand stick blenders anyway (water getting trapped in attachments). Also they have really cheap prices on basic items for the kitchen like plastic storage containers and preserving jars off the top of my head.

  • Ozbar Gain on 09/05/2023 - 12:34
    +4

    We recently had family visit from overseas and they expected everything to be more expensive in Australia but K-mart is one of the stores that had them going "WOW we can't get similar items for this cheap back home".
    It's really useful when you have kids (toys, clothing)

    • JimB on 10/05/2023 - 15:30

      which country?

      • Kangal on 12/05/2023 - 00:14

        Australia, pay attention.

    • morse on 12/05/2023 - 03:33

      I’ve seen families who appear to be visiting from overseas that look like they are buying up a years worth of clothes, toys and household items. They’ll have numerous large trolleys, full up with items.

      I think places like PNG, Tonga, Samoa don’t have access to these large stores with cheap items. I’m guessing it works out cheaper to pay for extra luggage and stock up whilst visiting.

  • cheapskatez on 09/05/2023 - 13:07
    +2

    Bought a knife block set from KMart 8 years ago for $15 and they still work fine. Also bought one of their $8 kettles at the same time and it's still working great. No need to spend $80 on a appliance just to boil water.

  • morse on 09/05/2023 - 13:54
    +1

    There are some good things that are significantly cheaper than elsewhere. I like their basic cotton elastane bike shorts, I have about 7 pairs, they only cost $6, similar products are around $20.

    My husband gets the slim fit chinos. I usually get a bunch of cheap kids clothes on clearance at the end of each season too, I buy next years size in advance, which works out great for kindy clothes etc.

    Baby and toddler linen is also brilliant and so much cheaper.

  • Brick Tamland on 09/05/2023 - 16:30
    +4

    There is alot of junk in Kmart but some of its perfectly ok and cheap!

    I've got a set of plates, bowls, mugs and lots of kitchen stuff really cheap and it's great, still use it every day 5 years on. I also buy wrapping paper, sticky tape and other random bits and bobs that dont need to be high quality and it's perfectly fine.

  • plmko on 09/05/2023 - 16:35
    +5

    Imagine being too slow to imagine that people just want a basic T-shirt for $3-$5 or some basic fitness item like a gym towel for $5 instead of paying $10-15. Which is what Kmart offers

    You would have to be living in your Mum's basement and not understand how society works or are just some stuck up clown who thinks an Apple Macbook cleaning cloth for $55 is a human standardised unit of worth.

  • Kironium on 09/05/2023 - 16:44

    kmart unorganised but quality same as big w

  • Poor Ass on 09/05/2023 - 16:52
    +2

    I just want to remind everyone that for those who think everything made in China is crap it is because the brands and businesses outside China want it to be made cheap and nasty to pass the minimum standard.

    As long as the brand and company have good quality control and monitors that production and use quality components. Even if it is made in China can still be very good.

    So next time, think about what you are buying and why you think it's cheap

    Personally I think Kmart has a lot of good stuff like kitchenware, cheap clothes and Anko undies…. but wouldn't be the first place I'll look for electronics.

  • thankyou on 09/05/2023 - 17:07
    +1

    I like kmart especially for socks, pyjamas, hooded beach towel and exercise equipment.

  • Justbenice on 09/05/2023 - 17:16

    Lego is almost always cheaper or at least comparably priced at Kmart, even when compared to 20% off sales at Target or Big W. They have a good range of school basic uniforms ie polo shirts, wide brim hats etc that are WAY cheaper than most other stores. Their books are always cheaper (especially picture books), good range of crockery and table wear that lasts for years and is fashionable, kids clothes, basic adult clothes… the list goes on.

    Plus they’re generally open later than other department stores for when your kid ‘remembers’ they need to have a book week costume for the next day. For those of us with kids and on a (very) limited income, it’s a real time/wallet saver. Yes, they could be more environmentally friendly, but ALL of the department stores are pretty dodgy in that regard, and they charge more.

    However, if you ever find an Amish/Luddite/Arts & Crafts department store that stocks all sustainably grown wood products made in Australia by fairly paid minorities, let me know.

  • Phreakuency on 09/05/2023 - 17:38

    Perfect for around the house clothes.

    Good for cheap pet stuff like cat scratchers, beds etc.

    Kodak instant photo kiosks.

    Decent looking artificial plants and home decor.

    Bigw and Target don't have the same range and what they do have is much more expensive.

    I like my brand name tv, expensive entertainment unit, kitchen table, cutlery etc among other things but Kmart fills a void most people need.

    • bulletbill88 on 09/05/2023 - 18:55
      +2

      I tend to find Big W has more of what I would buy but going by this thread I’m the odd one out. Guess Kmart is chasing my dollar but they seem to be doing ok lol.

  • Willywolfy on 09/05/2023 - 18:01

    I wouldn't say Kmart provides bargains. It's just…. day to day stuff at a reasonable price.

    • Poor Ass on 09/05/2023 - 18:17
      +1

      Oh mate $2 boardshorts and 10c casual shirts on clearance absolute bargains

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