Page 36 - HW July 2022

global eyes
Bunnings adds fast
last-mile option
Australian-owned delivery platform Zoom2u has entered into a non-exclusive agreement with Bunnings Group for the use of the Zoom2u Platform, following successful trials.
Bunnings will offer Zoom2u as a local delivery option in major Australian capital cities and Steve Orenstein, Zoom2u Founder and CEO, says of the deal: “I
am absolutely delighted to announce this agreement. To be chosen as one of Bunnings’ last mile delivery providers is a validation of the Zoom2u Platform.”
Connecting users with independent local couriers in their area for fast same day delivery, the Zoom2u Platform enables a transparent delivery experience providing customers with valuable data such as a live tracking link showing the real time location of their package, and an ETA for delivery.
Under the agreement, Bunnings is under no obligation to meet any minimum volume of spend, or fee commitments, and the arrangement is not exclusive.
www.zoom2u.com.au
Homebase open its first new store in years
One in 10 Aussies
SURPRISINGLY, THE MAY opening of Homebase’s new store in Cheltenham was the brand’s first in over six years.
Located on Tewkesbury Road, the new 36,591ft2 (3,400m2) store follows on from the successful roll out of its on-trend small format stores.
The new store has created 29 jobs in the local area and these team members have beenprovidedwithexternallyaccredited training, including City & Guilds gardening and kitchen design qualifications.
The store features a Dulux Paint Desk, which offers a paint mixing service, and popular brands including Homebase Paint, Crown, Farrow & Ball, ELLE Decoration and Craig & Rose.
Customers will also shop home furniture and accessories, from occasional chairs and cushions to lighting and candles, ready-made wall panelling, tools and hardware, flooring and tiling
as well as wallpaper, furniture and
home accessories as part of Homebase’s partnership with Hearst UK.
are apartment
dwellers
2 Theadditional12,500ft gardencentre
offers plants, pots and garden care, as well as outdoor furniture, spas and barbecues.
The showroom has a variety of kitchen and Bathstore bathroom designs on show, including the exclusive House Beautiful and Country Living kitchens, all backed up by in-store design expertise, and features appliances from brands including Bosch, Neff and Miele.
Grant Anderson, Homebase
Retail Director, says: “This store looks completely different to those we’ve had in the town in the past – it’s designed to make shopping with us easier than ever.”
Click & collect is also available within the hour as is ordering in-store for home delivery.
Hot on the heels of this new store came news of another new site in Chester situated in the Greyhound Retail Park, which opened in time for the Jubilee bank holiday weekend.
www.homebase.co.uk
The Australian Bureau of Statistics launched 2021’s Census data late last month, both providing some new insights and confirming givens on the different types of homes and “castles” being occupied around Australia.
Nearly 11 million private dwellings were counted in the 2021 Census, an increase of nearly one million since 2016.
These dwellings comprised separate houses (70%), apartments (16%) and townhouses (13%).
As in New Zealand, the proportion
of apartments continues to increase, accounting for nearly one third (30.9%) of the increase in Australian private dwellings since 2016.
The 2021 Census also identified high- rises (nine+ storeys) separately for the first time and found that over half a million people live in Australia’s 370,000 high-rise apartments and that over 2.5 million people (10% of the population) now live in apartments.
www.abs.gov.au
34 NZHJ | JULY 2022
MORE AT www.hardwarejournal.co.nz