Kmart has squashed rumours it is looking to re-establish in Whanganui.
There have been persistent rumours that the Australian-based discount department store chain was coming back to the city after its attempts to find a suitable site in New Plymouth failed.
Kmart opened in the Trafalgar Square mall in 1989, in what was then the chain's largest retail store in New Zealand, but pulled out some years ago. The store it vacated was taken over by The Warehouse.
A spokesperson for the group told the Chronicle that while Kmart was on the lookout for new locations, "at this time we are not opening a new store in Whanganui". "If this changes, we'll advise the community with a formal announcement," she said.
Earlier this month Kmart announced its plans to open in New Plymouth were on hold indefinitely.