Page 12 - HW MARCH 2020

hard news
IKEA adds locations
to its NZ start-up
IKEA has updated its plans for New Zealand, now saying it will open multiple physical and digital customer touchpoints, starting with a full-size, full- range store in the Auckland area.
It has also now announced a Planning Studio for Wellington (Planning Studios are small stores dedicated to kitchen and bedroom advice – see photo) and a smaller-format, presumably city-centric store for Christchurch, but the exact locations and the timings are currently unconfirmed.
A full e-commerce offer will also be rolled out during this start-up period.
www.ikea.co.nz
Events update
PlaceMakers returns to Auckland – After successfully getting out of town to Rotorua last year, PlaceMakers’ 2020 conference and trade show will be held over 12-13 August at the Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau City.
Cologne fair cancelled – The 2020 International Hardware Fair or Eisenwarenmesse, originally set for 1-4 March in Cologne, Germany, has been postponed until February 2021, with precise dates TBA.
Milan style fairs postponed – The two major trade fairs EuroCucina & Salon
del Mobile originally planned for 21-26 April in Milan have been postponed until 16-21 June this year.
BuildLink heads for Tauranga – This year’s BuildLink Conference & Trade Show is to be held in Tauranga over 20-21 May.
Is it in the budget? – Budget 2020 will
be delivered on Thursday 14 May, Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced.
Is Bunnings pegging back its lowest price offer?
THE EXTERIOR OF a growing number of Bunnings branches have not been shouting the brand’s usual “Lowest prices are just the beginning” offering.
Asked about this change, Michael Schneider, Bunnings Group Managing Director, says: “Like other retailers,
we consistently review aspects of our branding and marketing to make our messaging as simple as possible for customers.
“This includes refreshing our building signage since late 2018 as we open new stores and upgrade our existing store network as well as our TV commercials.
“Customers have long understood our lowest prices policy and we are taking the opportunity to freshen up our branding and highlight our expanding offer both in store and online.”
So, the lowest prices pitch remains fundamental to the Bunnings offer?
Everyone needs a MATE
AFTER LAUNCHING IN October 2019, MATES in Construction is now engaging with Kāinga Ora (formerly Housing
NZ) to provide its suicide prevention programme to build partners and also a key site in Auckland ahead of rolling out nationwide.
Initially, three Kāinga Ora build partners – Miles Construction, Signature Homes and Property Partners Group and Home – will provide MATES training
to hundreds of workers at building sites across Auckland.
Workers at Kāinga Ora’s major Greys Avenue development project in central Auckland will also engage in the MATES programme.
To help spread the good word, football legend Slade McFarland has joined MATES in Construction as a dedicated Field Officer to help its work with Kāinga Ora.
With the New Zealand construction industry having the highest proportion of suicides across all industries, Slade says of the programme: “Change can
“We are incredibly and genuinely committed to our policy of lowest prices,” says Michael Schneider.
“Across both countries we invest over
$5 million a year in a robust system to constantly check competitor’s prices online and in store, nationally and regionally and in stores, we have pricing integrity team members who check the local market.
“Of course, this is clearly backed up by our 15% price guarantee policy in New Zealand and 10% in Australia, which has been in place across two decades. Our policy and price guarantee is also clearly documented in store and on our website.”
Asked about a recent report on Stuff. co.nz which has it that the 2016 Commerce Commission case alleging Bunnings New Zealand’s lowest price claims were false and misleading was nearing conclusion, Bunnings declined to comment.
www.bunnings.co.nz
only happen when the gift of knowledge around suicide is shared not just for ourselves but the wider community through each participant involved with Kāinga Ora.”
Already active across construction
sites in Auckland, including Commercial Bay, Pacifica, Westfield Newmarket,
10 Madden Street, the Sylvia Park expansion and the Auckland City Mission redevelopment.
Find out more about MATES in Construction and how you can help make a change in our industry here:
www.mates.net.nz
10 NZHJ | MARCH 2020
MORE AT www.hardwarejournal.co.nz