Kmart, Big W or Target - Shopping advice

**jenjen25** · May 15th, 2013, 10:41 AM

Hi Everyone,
I live in the country & able to get to the city and have very limited time to do winter shopping for all the family. Which would you choose Kmart, Big W or Target. I don't want to waste time going from one to the other. I know they're all pretty similiar just wanted to get some expert shopping advice.
Thanks Jen

**CoNNiE_Melb** · May 15th, 2013, 10:46 AM

Target - I feel they have the biggest range and best quality of the 3. KMart & Big W are very similar to one another, but are cheaper than Target.

**Beach Mama** · May 15th, 2013, 10:56 AM

Target - but I feel it is much better quality than Kmart and a better range than Big W, although Big W is great too! Kmart quality has really dropped IMO even though it's super cheap.

**HotI** · May 15th, 2013, 11:03 AM

Yep, Target. Kmart is cheap, but the quality is just horrid these days.

**~Gee_Whizzy~** · May 15th, 2013, 11:07 AM

i buy from Target when i want good quality clothing for my girls and buy from Big W and Kmart when i want "lots" of clothing (for kinder, outside play etc) at cheap prices.

**AnyDream** · May 15th, 2013, 11:09 AM

I normally shop across all 3, Kmart & Big W can be cheaper for some things but the quality is more variable and lots of things have those horrible spray on pictures that crack in the dryer.

Target on the other hand has a much better range, but it is a big of a problem locally because they don't seem to have twigged that there was a spike in the birth rate 6 years ago, and so there's often next to nothing in my DDs size. But I still think for one stop shopping you would do best there.

**Rowellen** · May 15th, 2013, 11:09 AM

I use kmart stuff for kindy. Target is my pick. If you can go on a day when they have 20% off all kids clothes - even better.

**black_rose** · May 15th, 2013, 11:19 AM

i buy from Target when i want good quality clothing for my girls and buy from Big W and Kmart when i want "lots" of clothing (for kinder, outside play etc) at cheap prices.

^^ this, and I try and wait for a target sale to stock up but big w and Kmart for kinder and camping.

**AndiE** · May 15th, 2013, 11:20 AM

i'm a bit like Marydean and buy across all three depending on what I want it for. If you can find Best and Less that's often worth a look. It stocks everything you need and is on a par with BigW for price and quality. If you wanted a one stop shop and didn't want to compromise quality then I wouldn't go to KMart. I agree that the prices are cheap but I think the quality is cheaper. I've found the long-sleeve T-shirts - in fact any of their shirts - are very, very thin.

**Tinks** · May 15th, 2013, 11:24 AM

I buy basics from Kmart and the rest from Target.

**CoNNiE_Melb** · May 15th, 2013, 11:28 AM

Just be aware that Target sizes seem to be bigger than normal. About a year ago they changed their sizing specs.

**Rowellen** · May 15th, 2013, 11:32 AM

Just be aware that Target sizes seem to be bigger than normal. About a year ago they changed their sizing specs.

LOL I thought the opposite. I was going to post that the sizing seemed small but forgot! DD's size 2's from target are much tighter on her than size 2's from elsewhere. Maybe it's different between boys & girls clothes?

Agree Best & Less has great stuff.

**CoNNiE_Melb** · May 15th, 2013, 11:34 AM

Also, not sure where you are, but I just got a target catalogue that says 20-30% of kids clothes from tomorrow.
It does say not available in SA stores.

**CoNNiE_Melb** · May 15th, 2013, 11:42 AM

LOL I thought the opposite. I was going to post that the sizing seemed small but forgot! DD's size 2's from target are much tighter on her than size 2's from elsewhere. Maybe it's different between boys & girls clothes?

LOL Really?? Maybe it is different for boys. I definitely find them bigger, the smallest for us seems to be Cotton On Kids. That's interesting!

**TeniBear** · May 15th, 2013, 11:50 AM

I prefer Kmart for pretty much everything. Big W if I can't find it at Kmart (or I'm at my local shopping centre where there's no Kmart), and Target if I absolutely need something and can't find it at the other two. I used to love Target but their prices seem to have skyrocketed in the past ten years or so. They used to be on par with what Kmart is like these days, now they're a slightly cheaper imitation of Myer IMO.

**2CheekyMonkeys** · May 15th, 2013, 11:57 AM

I thought target sizes are smaller too, even for adults!! Plus they are very expensive!!

We usually do big w/ Kmart for everyday things and target when on sale or lay bys.

**jenjen25** · May 15th, 2013, 12:29 PM

Thanks ladies, great response back. What about for womens & mens stuff still target or do the others get a look in? I saw that kmart had a wonens blue jacket & boots both $29 any thoughts?

**AndiE** · May 15th, 2013, 12:49 PM

Thanks ladies, great response back. What about for womens & mens stuff still target or do the others get a look in? I saw that kmart had a wonens blue jacket & boots both $29 any thoughts?

I'm a little wary of Target for women's clothes at the moment as I'm starting to question the quality. I've had 2 pairs of black 3/4-length trousers that have both developed holes at the seams (and I promise I don't try to squish into smaller sizes - they were all fitting perfectly fine and were only a few months old each). Plus I've had two smart casual tops that developed small holes - one of the tops was only a couple of months old. I have a front loader (gentle on clothes) and I don't trash my clothes.

Having said that, I haven't had any dramas with childens' clothes from Target.