Kmart Overhauls 40 Australian Stores With New Layout, Moves Checkouts to Front

Kmart is overhauling stores across Australia with its new ‘Plan C+’ format, moving cash registers back to the front of stores after 14 years in the centre. Around 40 stores will be converted by the end of June 2027, with 20 already completed. The redesign also features larger womenswear, beauty, and home departments, plus enhanced technology and expanded self-service checkouts.

Why checkouts are moving back to the front

Kmart moved registers to the centre of stores in 2012 to streamline queues and reduce exit congestion. Nearly every store had converted by 2018. But customers complained, and Kmart listened to feedback and reversed the decision. Ben Smith, general manager of property at Kmart Group, said the retailer is bringing checkouts back to make shopping “simpler, more convenient and more enjoyable.”

What the new store layout includes

Plan C+ features larger departments for womenswear, beauty, and home, designed to help customers discover complete outfits more easily. The format also adds Select & Collect services, expanded self-service checkouts, and a simpler front-of-store entry and exit. Behind the scenes, enhanced technology helps store teams operate more efficiently and improves the customer experience overall.

Rollout timeline and scope

Kmart has 20 of its roughly 300 Australian stores already converted to Plan C+. The retailer plans to have around 40 stores in the new format operating by the end of June 2027. Smith said customers in all Australian states and New Zealand will be able to enjoy the new format by the end of this year, with a long-term goal to roll out the format across the entire network.

What this means for shoppers

The overhaul aims to reduce friction in the shopping experience. Customers no longer need to walk to the centre of the store to exit, and the expanded departments make it easier to find coordinated looks. The addition of self-service checkouts and Select & Collect options gives shoppers more flexibility in how they shop and pay.

Final Thoughts

Kmart’s Plan C+ rollout reflects a shift back to customer preferences after years of centre-store checkouts. The move signals the retailer is prioritising convenience and ease of navigation as it competes in Australia’s retail landscape.

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