Highland Park Pak’nSave, New Zealand’s biggest new supermarket, is set to open on Tuesday, February 25.
A spokesman for developer Foodstuffs North Island said the $100 million, 6391 sq m East Auckland store would employ more than 250 staff, and the recruitment process was “in full swing.”
“More than 200 job offers have been made so far,” the spokesman said.
The new facility features 329 parking spaces and has been constructed adjacent to an existing Woolworths store that spans 4,812 square meters.
The spokesman indicated that the progress of their ongoing work is proceeding as planned.
“In terms of fit-out, the refrigeration and checkouts have been installed: 12 team member-operated checkouts and 14 self-checkouts. The racking and shelving are also in place with ambient groceries and non-perishables going on the shelves. There will be specialist departments for bakery, butchery, deli, produce, and seafood,” he said.
Owner/operator Wade Brown said that the opening of the expansive new store would present “a fantastic challenge,” emphasising that they have been diligently preparing for months to ensure a highly competitive offering.
The other owner, Diana Brown, stated that they will collaborate with the food rescue organisation Kiwi Harvest to ensure that unsold food, which is still safe to consume, is not wasted.
In a previous statement, General Manager of Retail & Property at Foodstuffs North Island, Lindsay Rowles, expressed enthusiasm about the new store, stating, “We’re excited to bring the latest generation PAK’nSAVE format to Highland Park, featuring ample space for customers and efficient behind-the-scenes operations designed to keep costs down.”