Kmart quietly launches a swanky new store in the Philippines – but Australians can’t get over a small detail

One of Australia’s top-selling home and lifestyle brands just opened its first store in Southeast Asia.

Kmart quietly renamed itself ‘Anko’ – after one of its home brands – and opened its doors to shoppers in Makati, Philippines, in mid-November.

The store is located at Glorietta 2, Makati City, and shoppers are already in love with the discount offering.

Kmart is best known for providing Australians and New Zealanders with trendy products for affordable prices. 

The Makati location is stocked with homewares, storage solutions, bedding, beauty products, fitness gear, pet essentials, cooking equipment, and more. 

Several Aussies were shocked at the brilliant state of the store.

‘Why is this nicer than my local Kmart?’ a shopper asked.

‘It’s so clean compared to the stores in Australia,’ one said. A third echoed, ‘Can’t believe how well-stocked, clean, and tidy it is.’

Australian and international shoppers have already shared their five-star reviews.

‘Affordable but good quality!’ a man raved.

‘This is cute, go Kmart. Our Anko rice cooker is still working great from 2018,’ another said.

‘My $14 coffee grinder is still going strong three years later,’ a woman said.

Anko, Kmart, and Target are owned by Westfarmers, which also owns Bunnings and Officeworks.

The expansion overseas is part of the company’s plan to take Kmart to the next level after the merger.

In 2020, 167 Target stores were either permanently closed or converted to Kmarts after the chain suffered a $67million slump in sales.

The merger came about because running the two businesses separately made it difficult to improve the use of technology in Target.

The closures and conversions reportedly cost the company between $120million and $170million.

A further $140million was used for one-off store conversion and stock clearance costs.

Mr Bailey, who has been credited in leading the turnaround in Kmart’s fortunes in recent years, said merging the two outlets into one $10billion entity will lead to significant cost savings and productivity improvement.

Anko Global CEO Arjun Puri said Anko aims to pay homage to Filipino values and culture.

‘We are delighted to introduce Anko to the Philippines, a country that shares Australia’s deep appreciation for family and home. Anko’s expansion reflects this shared value, bringing affordable, quality products to enhance everyday living,’ Mr Puri said.

A few Filipino shoppers shared their awe.

‘I love the shirts from Anko!’ A man wrote. ‘I’m so glad they’re here now.’

‘I moved to New Zealand a year ago and became obsessed with Kmart – I could’ve just stayed home,’ a traveller joked.