Kmart: Customers angry as retailer axes its entire Independent Living range
Discount retailer Kmart has quietly dropped one of its ranges – and customers aren’t happy, fearing they will have to pay more elsewhere.
Up to last year, Wesfarmers-owned Kmart was promoting its “Independent Living” range.
Adverts and glossy videos on its social media encouraged customers to buy the products designed for people with mobility issues and disabilities.
“From wheelchairs to support cushions, sometimes a little help makes every day a little easier,” stated a Kmart Facebook ad from 2021.
A mobility walker could be bought for $89 or a blood pressure monitor for $39.
But customers have noticed that the range has slowly vanished from the shelves.
On Kmart’s website, just a single Independent Living product remains – a back support memory foam cushion for $18. And that’s labelled as being on clearance.
Under the “living aids” section of the Kmart website, there are no other products.
Searches for mobility walkers, blood pressure monitors and bed assist frames – all previously advertised by Kmart – come up blank.
Website Catch, also owned by Wesfarmers, does list an Anko by Kmart mobility walker – but that’s sold out.
Kmart quietly confirmed the rage’s disappearance to a customer on a Facebook post in April.
Customer Sabrina Capelja asked if Independent Living had been “discontinued”.
“Yes this has,” came the reply from Kmart.
The retailer gave a fuller response to 7News about the move saying there were only a “small number of products” in the range.
“Unfortunately at this time there hasn’t been a demand for those particular products, but we still have several products that promote inclusivity, wellbeing and exercise to help support customers of all ages and abilities that sit across other categories.”
It’s not clear what other products promoting “inclusivity, wellbeing and exercise” could be used in place of a mobility walker or blood pressure monitor, for instance.
A customer who talked to Seven said they were disappointed at the range being axed.
They had tried to purchase some items to aid her husband who had mobility issues.
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“I have many friends who have purchased walkers and shower seats from Kmart because they’re so well-priced.
“I was pretty upset. I am a pensioner, and am now worried how I’m going to afford these items for my husband.
“It makes me angry that Kmart isn’t catering to a whole group of customers who need them,” she said.
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