Axe falls on Target

Fears for FNQ jobs as retailer shuts shops

THE future of five Far North Target stores has been thrown into doubt after the retailer announced it would be closing 75 businesses across the nation.

Parent company Wesfarmers announced yesterday it would address the brand’s “unsustainable financial performance” by closing up to 75 Target and Target Country stores across Australia and converting 92 others into Kmarts.

Far North Queensland has six Target stores: Cairns Central, Stockland, Atherton, Mareeba, Clifton Beach and Port Douglas.

When contacted by the Cairns Post, Wesfarmers, which is also the parent company of Bunnings and Kmart, said it couldn’t say whether it would be closing or converting any of the Far North stores.

However, it has raised concern among the region’s business leaders, for whom the stores are a major source of jobs and retail trade.

Mareeba Chamber of Commerce president Joe Moro said it would be a major blow to lose the Mareeba Target, as it was the biggest store of its kind in town.

“It employs a lot of locals, it would be a terrible blow if it were to be closed and we hope it isn’t,” he said.

“From what we’ve seen, Target in Mareeba does pretty well, it’s a major part of the shopping fabric and one of the biggest brands.

“Mareeba’s the biggest town in Far North Queensland after Cairns, so we hope that will carry some weight when they make these decisions.”

A Stockland Cairns spokeswoman said discussions were being held with Wesfarmers over the matter.

“Stockland has a longstanding relationship with Target and Kmart and both stores have been an important part of the retail mix at many of our Stockland centres,” she said.

Cairns Central store management did not wish to comment.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Sally Mlikota said the news was terrible timing for Cairns due to the impact the coronavirus shutdown has had on the retail sector.

“Clearly any job loss in the region, for whatever reason, is adding more fuel to an already blazing fire as a result of coronavirus-induced job losses,” she said.

“It highlights the plight of the retail sector and the consumer switch to online shopping.

“Myer of course is another concern, should they also pull out of the region.”