Kmart Closing Time: Hours for Australian & NZ Stores

If you’ve searched for “Kmart closing time” lately, you’ve likely seen two completely different realities: one where the chain is shutting down and another where it never seems to close. That split comes down to geography. In Australia and New Zealand, Kmart is thriving — the Sylvia Park location, for instance, is open 24 hours a day, according to Kmart’s official store locator.

Kmart Australia & NZ stores: ~190 ·
Sylvia Park hours: 24 hours daily ·
Marrickville Metro hours: 8AM–10PM daily ·
Christmas 24h trading 2025: Select Sydney stores

The table below captures the essential data points from verified sources.

Six facts, one pattern: Kmart store hours vary widely by location and season — always verify with the official locator before visiting.

Why is Kmart closing down?

The question itself reveals a common confusion. In the United States, Kmart has indeed wound down operations over the past two decades. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2002 and merged with Sears in 2005, according to Wikipedia’s detailed history of Kmart. After years of store closures, the last full-size Kmart store in the US — in Bridgehampton, New York — reportedly closed in October 2024.

How did Kmart fail in the United States?

Kmart’s decline stemmed from a combination of factors: failed mergers, competition from Walmart and Target, and an inability to adapt its supply chain. The merger with Sears in 2005 only delayed the inevitable. Wikipedia notes that Sears Holdings filed for bankruptcy in 2018, triggering a final wave of closures.

What this means: the US Kmart brand is effectively gone, but the name lives on in Australia and New Zealand under completely separate ownership.

How big was the Kmart retail chain before it closed?

At its peak in the 1990s, Kmart operated more than 2,100 stores in the US alone, according to historical data on Wikipedia. By 2023, that number had dwindled to fewer than a dozen.

Is Kmart still operating in Australia?

Yes — and it’s a different company. Kmart Australia has been a division of Wesfarmers since 2007, and it operates around 190 stores across Australia and New Zealand, as reported by Marrickville Metro shopping centre. The Australian chain has its own supply chain, private labels, and store formats.

The implication: searching for “Kmart closing time” in Australia will give you local hours, while the same search in the US will find only closed stores.

What does the k in Kmart stand for?

The “K” originally stood for Kresge — the surname of founder Sebastian S. Kresge. He opened the first Kmart store in 1962 in Garden City, Michigan, according to Wikipedia’s entry on the chain. The full name was meant to be “Kresge’s Mart,” later shortened to Kmart.

Does the ‘K’ have any specific meaning?

No hidden acronym or deeper meaning — just the founder’s name. It’s a bit like how “JCPenney” uses the founder’s initials. The brand’s Australian arm retained the Kmart name after the 2007 Wesfarmers acquisition.

Is Kmart Sylvia Park 24 hours?

Yes — according to Kmart’s official store locator, the Sylvia Park location in Auckland, New Zealand is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This makes it a standout among Kmart stores globally.

What are the opening hours for Kmart Sylvia Park?

• Monday–Sunday: 24 hours
• Christmas Day: closed (all Kmart stores close on Dec 25)

The catch: Sylvia Park is the only confirmed 24-hour Kmart in New Zealand. Other NZ stores may have extended hours but not round-the-clock trading.

Are other Kmart stores in New Zealand open 24 hours?

No official data confirms any other NZ Kmart operating 24 hours. Most NZ Kmart stores follow standard shopping centre hours, typically 8AM–8PM or 9AM–9PM. For exact times, use the store locator.

What are typical Kmart closing times in Australia?

Most Australian Kmart stores close at 9:00 pm on weekdays, according to iSend Australia (a shopping guide). Some metro locations stay open until 10:00 pm. Saturday closing is typically 7:00 pm, and Sunday closing is 6:00 pm, though CBD stores may close at 8:00 pm on Sundays.

The pattern: 24-hour Kmart stores are the exception, not the rule.

What does anko stand for?

Anko is Kmart Australia’s in-house brand, launched in 2012. The name is a backronym: “A New Kind Of” — a marketing slogan that hints at the brand’s focus on affordable, trendy products.

Why isn’t Kmart just called Anko?

Anko is a private label sold exclusively at Kmart, not the store’s name. Kmart Australia has other brands alongside Anko, so the store retains its original name. The Anko brand has expanded to other retailers in some markets but remains a Kmart-owned label.

Is everything in Kmart made by Anko?

No. While Anko dominates many categories (homewares, clothing, electronics), Kmart also sells third-party brands like Lego, Apple, and Samsung. The mix varies by store.

How much do Kmart staff get paid?

Entry-level pay for Kmart team members in Australia is around $24–$28 per hour as of 2025, according to industry pay data. Pay rates are governed by the General Retail Industry Award, which sets minimums and penalty rates for evenings, weekends, and public holidays.

What is the pay rate at Kmart in Australia?

The General Retail Industry Award (level 1) provides a minimum hourly rate of approximately $24.10 for adult employees as of mid-2025. Casual staff receive a 25% loading on top. Shift allowances and penalty rates can push effective pay higher.

Do Kmart staff get penalty rates?

Yes. Award rates include penalty loading for Saturday (25% extra), Sunday (50%–100% extra), and public holidays (150%–250% extra). These rates are legally set and apply to all Kmart employees covered by the award.

For Australian shoppers looking for a late-night run, the data shows that 24-hour Kmart access is rare — Sylvia Park in New Zealand is the exception, not the rule. Before heading out, check the official store locator to avoid disappointment. The trade-off: knowing you’ll find consistent hours most weekdays until 9PM, with shorter weekend schedules in suburban areas.