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First Tool Kit Depot store opens in WA
THE FIRST TOOL Kit Depot store has now opened and it’s clear that owner Bunnings has taken pains to differentiate its new brand from other trade-facing tool retailers.
As reported last month, Tool Kit Depot is the new trading name for South Australia’s Adelaide Tools, which Bunnings acquired in April 2020.
The business continues to be run separate from Bunnings at its support office in Adelaide and the five Adelaide Tools stores in South Australia have so far retained their original brand.
But the first all-new Tool Kit Depot store has now opened in Belmont near Perth with a further three WA stores now announced for Rockingham, Malaga and Mandurah (Meadow Springs) and expected to open by Christmas.
Targeting professionals and billing itself as “not just a tool supermarket”, Tool Kit Depot carries no own brand ranges and plays up its expert staff, full-service workshop and tool hire.
The substantial new 2,000m2 Belmont store carries 10,000 products across
power tools, outdoor power equipment, hand tools, storage, workwear, welding equipment, construction and safety equipment and represents a AU$6 million- plus investment, also creating 40 new jobs in the local community.
Bunnings Commercial COO Ben McIntosh says: “Customers will find the look and feel of Tool Kit Depot stores a little different to some other professional tool stores.
“The store design is more open and features hands-on displays of a wide range of professional construction tools and gear.
“Earlier this year, we opened our
first prototype store in Parafield, South Australia, where we trialled some new store concepts.
“The response from customers has been very positive, which gave us the confidence to commence a wider rollout and position the business for further expansion outside of South Australia.”
The arrival of Tool Kit Deport comes
as the latest ABS data has WA leading the nation in terms of residential construction growth, with a 21% lift in dwelling approvals in August.
https://toolkitdepot.com.au/
52 NZHJ | NOVEMBER 2021
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