Inside Kmart’s New Plan C+ Layout at Its Largest NZ Store

Kmart has launched its largest New Zealand location at Westgate, spanning 6,700 square metres and introducing the retailer’s new Plan C+ format. According to coverage from 1News, the store stocks over 50,000 products and incorporates revised checkout systems, expanded women’s wear and beauty zones, and enhanced click-and-collect services designed for soft consumer spending conditions.

The Bottom Line

• Record Footprint: The Westgate branch spans 6,700 square metres, making it the largest Kmart store in New Zealand.
• Format Evolution: The location debuts the “Plan C+” layout, which removes bulky items from the floor to expand apparel and beauty categories while prioritizing click-and-collect infrastructure, as reported by BusinessDesk.
• Operational Shift: Alongside the New Zealand expansion, the format is rolling out across Australia, where Kmart Group General Manager Property Ben Smith noted that 40 fully refreshed stores are targeted by mid-2027.

Decoding the Plan C+ Format Strategy

Retail footprints require constant optimization to match shifting macroeconomic environments. The introduction of the Plan C+ store format at Westgate represents a direct response to soft consumer spending, as highlighted by BusinessDesk. By scaling down the display of bulky items on the main shop floor, the retailer is shifting valuable square meterage toward high-turnover categories like women’s wear and beauty.

The format overhaul also addresses historical customer pain points. The contentious central-store checkouts—relocated between 2012 and 2015—are being phased out in favour of streamlined entry and exit designs. Furthermore, enhanced technology and select-and-collect capabilities allow same-day order fulfilment, pushing efficiency behind the scenes while maintaining stock availability.

Corporate Expansion and Wesfarmers Portfolios

The physical transformation at Westgate is part of a broader capital allocation strategy by parent company Wesfarmers.

As noted by Ben Smith, Kmart Group General Manager Property, insights gathered from early Plan C+ installations are actively guiding network enhancements across both Australia and New Zealand. Alongside these store refreshes, Wesfarmers is concurrently testing standalone concepts such as the ‘K Home’ destination in Box Hill, Melbourne, designed to maximize the breadth of the Anko product range beyond traditional retail constraints.

Comparative Store Metrics

Metric / Feature	Traditional Kmart Layout	Plan C+ Format (Westgate)
Store Scale	Standard regional footprint	6,700 square metres (Largest in NZ)
Product Catalog	Standard inventory	More than 50,000 products
Merchandising Focus	Mixed department layout	Curated apparel, expanded beauty, minimized bulky floor stock
Fulfillment Infrastructure	Standard checkout lanes	Expanded Select & Collect and self-service technology

Market Trajectory and Future Outlook

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.