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state of the nation 2021
venture, from inception to closure, and latterly two years as COO at Orchard Supply Hardware in California.
What does Ben consider he brings to his latest role in terms of skills, experience, and background?
“I joined Bunnings in 2019, spending time in Australia before moving to New Zealand to lead the operations here. I have been in my current role for a little over 12 months now, and it’s already been an amazing journey.
“I’ve really had to draw on my leadership skills over the past year – managing through a pandemic is certainly not something many of us have done before, but it’s been important to support the team through such a challenging period.
“I’ve held senior positions with companies like Lowe’s, Woolworths and Orchard Supply Hardware in the USA, so I do think that building teams and capabilities is one of my strengths.
“More broadly, I have more than 30 years of global retail experience and I am really enjoying applying my knowledge and continuing to develop and grow the Bunnings business in New Zealand.”
Unsurprisingly, Ben describes 2020-2021 as “another big year” for Bunnings NZ, with “a new set of challenges, driven largely by COVID-19.”
“We’ve continued to respond to the changing restrictions in different regions, adapting our operations along the way, but we’re glad to be welcoming customers back into most of our stores across the country.
“Over the last 18 months, we really learnt how to be agile and had to rethink how best to serve our customers and the community.”
This rethinking has included responding to changing customer preferences by extending trading hours for most stores and Trade Centres, the Silverdale store hosting a drive-in vaccination hub “in the depths of Level 4 restrictions” as well as local hubs at several stores to support team member vaccinations.
You could also see Bunnings NZ’s relatively late online presence as a response to COVID-19.
we’ll be focussing on data and digital initiatives, supporting more seamless online experience and more personalised communications.”
Alongside this digital transformation, Bunnings NZ’s bricks & mortar program is also proceeding, now nudging 50 store sites, with a Bunnings Warehouse in Queenstown open already and the new Invercargill Trade Centre set to open very soon.
Having this last year seen periods of “strong sales momentum”, as well as some more challenging spells during lockdowns, Bunnings NZ like other players has experienced challenges with supply.
“Particularly in relation to structural timber,” says Ben Camire, “but that’s something the entire industry is facing and we’re working hard with our suppliers and customers to manage it as best as possible.”
Be that as it may, Bunnings has been working particularly hard on its product offering over the past 12 months.
As evidence, Ben cites Bunnings New Zealand as being first to market with the new ultra-low emissions Dulux Ultra Air interior range and being first to launch AEG’s 18V tradie range.
“As part of our widest range commitment, we’re also innovating in terms of what we’re offering our customers.
“With so many New Zealanders spending much more time at home, we’ve expanded our home entertainment ranges across outdoor furniture and gazebos, cookers and portable BBQs and to help celebrate the festive season, our biggest and best festive lighting range ever.
“We’ve also had a strong focus on more on-trend ranges and over the past twelve months, we’ve continued to expand our offers in this space including natural rattan furniture and accessories, and new indoor pot ranges which compliment the strong interest and demand for houseplants. This also includes a range made from recycled materials.”
“We continue to concentrate our efforts on our sustainability commitments, continuing to maintain 100% renewable, working with suppliers on packaging and continuing to divert waste from landfill.”
It’s no secret that Bunnings New Zealand’s first e-commerce offeringwas“justintime”,comingonlineasitdidlastyearjustasthe WhatisBunnings’outlookfor2022inNewZealand?
pandemic first drove us into lockdown, followed soon after by the Drive & Collect model which allowed customers to shop in a safe and contactless way.
In April this year, Bunnings launched its new consumer website, improving its look, feel, navigation and search functionality for customers.
And earlier this month we saw the launch of a new transactional trade-facing website, with “a modern look and feel, better experiences with improved search, navigation that’s mobile-friendly.”
So far, Bunnings NZ has received “a great response” to its online presence, says Ben Camire, “and we look forward to investing more in this space in order to build on the online experience even further.”
Judging by some of the news coming out of Bunnings in Australia over the last weeks, including Michael Schneider describing Bunnings as being “deep in a really genuine tech transformation”, this is no empty promise.
Ben Camire confirms: “In terms of our investment program,
Expecting elevated demand in commercial and residential construction and renovations to continue into next year, Ben Camire is firm in his response: “We remain confident in our strategy and the opportunities ahead for our business and the team,” he says.
MITRE 10 NZ – CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE
Andrea Scown was named CEO of Mitre 10 NZ in March this year, following the resignation of Chris Wilesmith, faced with the difficulties of trans-Tasman commuting.
Having progressed in her four and a half years so far at Mitre 10 NZ from GM Retail Ops to Chief Customer Experience Officer and then COO in November 2020, Andrea’s promotion was notable for not only being the first internal appointment as CEO but also the first time the co-op had had a woman Chief Executive.
How is the market panning out for members? “Everyone’s planned for a big one,” says Andrea, as New Zealand gets stuck into Black Friday’s best buys.
“We’ve seen demand that’s really like Christmas trading levels for
20 NZHJ | DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022
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