Target to shut after 23 years in Katanning

Katanning’s Target will close after more than 20 years in operation.

The Great Southern Herald can reveal the store will close down in October once its lease expires. It has operated in town for 23 years.

A spokeswoman for Target said their Katanning branch would close on October 13.

“Target is working hard to ensure five team members can join another Target team at a store convenient to them or across the wider Wesfarmers retail businesses,” she said.

“Target wants to thank our Katanning team, the local community and all of our customers for shopping with us over the last 23 years and looks forward to all customers continuing to shop at nearby Target Narrogin or visiting us online.”

The company would not comment on what factors prompted the closure.

The closure comes despite the Shire of Katanning introducing seven-day trading last year, to allow large retail shops to trade from 10am to 5pm on Sundays.

Katanning Regional Business Association president Nathan Marwick said the closure of Katanning Target would greatly affect the community and local business.

“The business community would like to see the retail gap filled to serve the community,” he said.

“The KRBA is able to help facilitate new entrepreneurs thinking of setting up business.”

Shire president Liz Guidera said she was disappointed to hear the Target would close.

“The biggest single factor to drive retail sales, and therefore profitability and jobs, is for local people to shop local and value their local businesses,” she said.