Page 9 - HW February 2020

hard news
former A&P Showgrounds.
We’re also hearing around the traps that
the opening of the next Bunnings store, at Westgate, in Auckland, is now scheduled to take place in May this year.
RATIONALISING SMALLER STORES
In contrast, citing their inability to fulfil current expectations on range, price and service, Bunnings has closed its small stores in Te Aroha in the Waikato and
Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast.
The closures were announced at very
short notice in December following what we take to be a wider review of the brand’s smaller-format stores in New Zealand.
Bunnings Director New Zealand, Jacqui Coombes, says of the reasons behind the decisions:
“Smaller-format stores are often in sites that are older and aren’t able to offer the environment we will accept for
both our team and customers.
“While our smaller-format stores play an
important role servicing local communities these two stores have been challenged to translate the Bunnings offer of widest range, lowest prices and, despite the excellent efforts of our team, best service.”
Jacqui adds: “This was a sad and difficult decision and our first priority has been our team, the majority of whom will be staying with Bunnings in other locations.”
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FEBRUARY 2020 | NZHJ 7