Australian shoppers suspicious after noticing a huge difference between Kmart and Target shelves as the stores merge: ‘A conspiracy’

Shoppers have noticed big changes at Kmart and Target stores as the brands have partially merged.

In January, it was announced that Target would start stocking Anko products in its beauty and home goods departments as part of a $10 billion effort to merge the two stores into one.

However, some customers have noticed differences in the products available between the two stores. They claim that Target shelves are full, but Kmart items are not being replenished.

Homehacks Guru Amelia Liddy Sudbury shared her “Kmart conspiracy theory,” raising eyebrows from Kmart and Target fans.

The mother-of-three, from the Sunshine Coast, noticed Target’s beauty shelves were stocked with Elf and OXX purchases.

“Since the Target-Kmart merger, I think they’re prioritizing restocking those types of products at your local Target store over your Kmart store to try to drive those Kmart loyalists, those types of consumers, to Target,’ she explained.

The wary shopper compared Target’s beauty aisles to Kmart’s and found the shelves nearly empty.

“These are the shelves at Kmart and that’s all there is,” she said.

‘They do the exact same thing with all the bath stuff; this was all full in Target and they didn’t refill any of it in Kmart.”

Amelia shared her thoughts in one video and many viewers said they noticed similar changes.

‘I agree with that. I was looking for something at Kmart last week, they didn’t have it. Light bulb moment, look in Target and it was plentiful,” one woman replied.

“My local Kmart has been out of elf stock for months, we’re completely out of Target near us,” said another.

‘Sure! Target is always loaded with inventory. Everything I need so far is out of stock at Kmart, but Target seems to be the one-stop shop these days,” a third agreed.

Others shared their theories about why Target seemingly has more products in stock than Kmart.

“I think it’s more that a lot of people don’t know or don’t realize the merger and just shop at Kmart. So it’s always full at Target because no one really buys Kmart stuff there,” one shopper wrote.

“Considering most Targets have phased out their makeup areas in recent years I’d say this is a result of people not knowing it’s even there when they usually get it from Kmart,” said a second.

A Kmart spokesperson told FEMAIL that beauty products should be fully stocked in both stores soon.

“Our beauty range is known and loved by Kmart customers, making it highly sought after,” they said.

“For Target customers, this is a still new range and selection of brands being offered. The team is working hard to replenish stock and ensure full availability in both stores.”

Wesfarmers, the parent company of Target and Kmart Australia, shared the news in its annual results report after announcing the two stores would merge into one $10 billion mega-company in mid-2024.

The collection will include “hard home and general merchandise” and will arrive in Target stores “early in the second half of fiscal 2024.”

Anko, which stands for ‘A New Kind Of’, is well known among Kmart’s regular shoppers, and ‘represents the change the retailer has undergone since 2008’.

Wesfarmers also confirmed that Target ‘remains profitable’ with ‘relatively stronger performance in apparel’. However, the house and toy trade was considered ‘challenging’ compared to clothing.

The company hopes to “leverage the scale of Kmart Group” to support Target in this area.

Brian Walker, CEO of retail consultancy Retail Doctor Group, explains news.com.au the phrase “hard home” implies that Anko-branded home goods will be sold at Target.

As a result, customers can find the best of both stores all in one place.