AFTER almost a decade of trading, the storefront housing the Target Country, Fosseys and Coles brands will vanish in Millicent next year, prompting widespread outcry from community members and civic leaders.
Hundreds of shoppers have expressed outrage at the closure while Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll and Millicent Business Community Association chairman Lee Morgan have not hidden their disappointment.
Mr Noll said it was “not bloody good enough” and Mr Morgan labelled the decision “ridiculous”.
Regular customer Danny Quintel said he had just bought two pairs of jeans at the store on Monday morning.
The Mount Burr resident said the closure was sad for the employees and for Millicent.
“It is another shopping option gone from Millicent and another empty shop,” Mr Quintel said.
“I shop everywhere in Millicent.”
Parent company Wesfarmers told the stock exchange on Friday morning of a major shake-up of its nationwide network of 284 Target and Target Country stores.
Among the changes, Wesfarmers intends to close 49 other Target Country stores including Naracoorte and convert a further 52 Target Country stores to Kmart.
Millicent store manager Ann Nowak joined the staff 16 years ago and has been in her current role for the past five years.
She has declined to comment.
A spokesperson at Target headquarters said moves were afoot to relocate affected staff at its stores across
Australia where possible.
Wesfarmers has Kmart and Bunnings stores in Mount Gambier.
“During this difficult time, we are committed to supporting our team,” the spokesperson said.
“Regarding affected Target team members around, 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.”
Meanwhile, the freehold of the Millicent Target Country store remains on the open market several months after it was first listed for sale.
A national firm is handling the sale and no price has been advertised for the property.
The Millicent Target Country store opened as a Coles department store in George Street in the mid-1960s and it has also traded as Fosseys.
It is one of only three Millicent stores whose trading hours are regulated by the State Government.
For over 20 years, Target has run an annual Christmas appeal in association with UnitingCare and the Millicent Uniting Church.
Convenor Gloria Garrett said about 70 to 80 gifts were donated each year and then distributed via the Millicent Combined Churches Appeal.
“It is extremely disappointing the store is closing,” she said.
A Target Country store at Mount Gambier shop shut in 2019.
So far in George Street in 2020, the Commonwealth Bank branch has closed along with the Absolutely Anything general wares shop.
Within the past 18 months, the Millicent Central Hub, Allan Schwarz Ag-Marine and Country Attitude retailers have shut.
Wesfarmers Managing director Rob Scott said the store closures and conversions and further investment in Kmart would boost the overall position of the Kmart Group, while also improving the commercial viability of Target.
“With the exception of Target, Wesfarmers’ retail businesses are well-positioned to respond to the changes in consumer behaviour and competition associated with this disruption,” he said.
“The actions announced reflect our continued focus on investing in Kmart, a business with a compelling customer offer and strong competitive advantages, while also improving the viability of Target by addressing some of its structural challenges by simplifying the business model.”
The company anticipates the majority of the store closures will occur in the 2021 calendar year.
