Long before Kmart became globally recognised for its affordable homewares and viral storage solutions, the Australian retail chain featured a distinctive department that has since faded into memory. For decades, numerous Kmart stores across the country boasted outdoor-style garden centres, typically positioned at the edge of the building or just beyond the main shopping aisles.
The Sensory Experience of Kmart's Garden Sections
These garden areas were complete with living plants, bags of soil, decorative pots, and that unmistakable aroma of damp mulch combined with warm, humid air. The experience created lasting impressions on generations of Australian shoppers, many of whom are now realising just how long it has been since they last encountered one of these retail garden spaces.
Nostalgic Shopper Memories
'I haven't seen a garden section at Kmart since about 2013,' one nostalgic customer revealed, expressing hope for what they called a 'big return' of these beloved spaces. Others shared similar sentimental recollections of their experiences in these unique retail environments.
'I can distinctly remember the smell and heat of the garden area,' another shopper recalled vividly. 'My local Kmart even stocked Venus fly traps - I was completely transfixed by them as a child.'
More Than Just Retail Space
For many Australian children, the garden section represented far more than simply another retail department. It served as a genuine escape from the routine of shopping with parents. 'This was the absolute highlight of my Kmart visit when I was a kid,' one person wrote emotionally. 'It meant I didn't have to walk around the rest of the store with my mother.'
Another shopper described how their local store's layout enhanced the experience. 'Our garden centre was positioned right after the book section. I could browse books, then walk straight into the garden area. It was truly lovely.'
A Place of Calm and Community
Adult shoppers remembered the garden centres as places of tranquility after long workdays. 'The first garden centre in Australia became my quiet place to visit after work. It was incredibly relaxing,' one customer explained.
Some Kmart locations even featured cafes adjacent to their garden sections, creating a more comprehensive experience. 'The cafe in the middle that sold pikelets was mine,' another shopper recalled wistfully. 'I only got a couple of years of that experience before it closed down completely.'
The Disappearance of Garden Centres
So what exactly happened to these once-common retail features? Many Australian shoppers believe the dramatic rise of Bunnings Warehouse played a significant role in their disappearance. Bunnings effectively dominated the garden and hardware market, prompting Kmart and competitor Big W to shift their strategic focus toward homewares, clothing, and fast-moving general merchandise.
Remnants and Repurposing
Some observant shoppers have noticed physical remnants of these old garden spaces still existing in modified form. 'The Big W near me still has the old outdoor section,' one customer noted. 'It's just covered with tarps and wire fencing now. I've always wondered why they don't use the space for something else entirely.'
In certain stores, the former garden centres have been completely repurposed for different retail functions. 'My local Big W transformed the old garden centre into their party supplies area,' another shopper added.
Holdouts and Historical Details
A handful of Kmart locations appear to be maintaining connections to this retail past. Shoppers report that the Burwood East store still features a functioning garden centre attached to its Kmart, while others recall similar setups in Belconnen during previous years before renovations eliminated them.
'Belconnen had a garden centre to the right of the entrance when I was in high school during the late 2000s,' one person remembered. 'It was removed around 2010 during major store renovations.'
Beyond plants and gardening supplies, some shoppers recalled even broader offerings in these sections. 'Yes - when I was a child they also had a paint section for house painting,' one customer revealed.
The Broader Retail Shift
The disappearance of Kmart's garden centres reflects a larger transformation within Australian retail - a movement away from slower, experiential browsing toward streamlined, high-turnover shopping environments. Despite this commercial evolution, the emotional connection to those former spaces remains remarkably strong among Australian consumers.
Judging by how fondly people continue to discuss these garden centres years after their disappearance, it serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes the retail spaces we miss most are precisely those that gave us somewhere to linger, explore, and simply be rather than just shop.
