Kmart Australia dumps independent living section from its stores sparking customer outrage
Kmart is annoying customers by quietly dumping an entire section from its stores: “How am I going to pay for these items?”
- Kmart throws out its independent housing offerings, sparking outrage
- The products include reduced price wheelchairs and walkers
- A pensioner asked: ‘How am I going to pay for this stuff’
Kmart has dumped its independent housing offerings across the country, sparking backlash from Australians struggling with mobility issues.
The retail giant removed the entire section from its online stores and stores because the products — including wheelchairs and walkers — were not “asked.”
But one retiree lashed out at the store in the wake of the move, saying she was concerned about “how I’m going to pay for these items.”
Plugging in the products in March last year, the store said, ‘Make everyday life easier with a range of products for independent living – all at our famously low prices!’
The stock included a $169 wheelchair, $15 folding canes, $89 mobility walkers, and $79 shopping carts with seats.
Kmart has removed the entire portion of its “independent living” range from its online stores and retail outlets due to lack of demand for the products
The “affordable” range included $89 mobility walkers and $79 shopping carts with seats (pictured)
Kmart offered wheelchairs for $169 (pictured), while other specialty websites and stores sell them at prices from $299 to $325
But during a quick search on Saturday, there were no results on her website for these independent home products.
“I went to the Kmart website to buy some supplies for my husband who is in the hospital and has mobility issues due to his illness,” said a retiree. 7News.
But she could only find a discounted foam pad at the time.
“I was pretty upset… and now I’m worried about how I’m going to pay for this stuff for my husband.
“It angers me that Kmart isn’t serving a whole set of customers that they need.”
Kmart also sold other specialty items, including bathroom rails and safety accessories to help people with disabilities and mobility issues.
The woman said she has friends who bought walkers and shower seats from Kmart because they were so affordable.
Kmart sold mobility walkers for $89, while other competitors sold them starting at $289
A Kmart spokesperson confirmed that a “small number of products” have been pulled from stores and online stores
Other online brands selling similar products showed that Kmart’s prices were competitive.
Harvey Norman has mobility walkers starting at $289 and the cheapest wheelchair retails for $299, while other specialty sites sell them starting at $325.
A Kmart spokesperson confirmed to 7News that a “small number of products” have been pulled from stores and online stores.
They said there was no demand for those specific products and spruiked items still available that “promote inclusiveness, wellness and exercise” for customers of all ages and abilities.
Harvey Norman and Wesfarmers, owner of Kmart, were contacted for comment by Daily Mail Australia.