Katherine Times was informed overnight our local Target Country would be among the many to be closed by Wesfarmers as part of the company's cutbacks announced yesterday.

But the store will be re-badged as a "small format" Kmart and open with new retail lines.

Katherine's Target Country staff will be offered positions in the new store.

The changeover is expected to occur over the next year.

The company announced the Katherine store was found "suitable" for the conversion.

Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott said these actions and further investment in Kmart will enhance the overall position of the Kmart Group, while also improving the commercial viability of Target.

Fifty Target Country stores around the country will be closed.

"The conversion of suitable Target Country stores to small format 'Kmart Hub' stores will leverage Kmart Group's learnings from trialling small format Anko stores in the United States while providing regional customers with increased access to a selected range of Kmart's home, apparel and general merchandise products," the company said.

"All team members in Target stores scheduled for conversion to Kmart will receive an offer of employment from Kmart."

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