Wigram, New Zealand, 2015-10-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Twenty years to the month after the Wigram Air Base had its formal closure parade in 1995, a new family owned-and-operated New World supermarket is set to take off in its place, officially opening on 30 September at ‘The Landing’ development at Wigram Skies.
Wigram New World owners James and Karen Backhouse have plenty of experience when it comes to running supermarkets, having been the former owners of New World Northside in Oamaru, and Four Square in Wanaka.
“We absolutely love supermarkets, having worked in the business throughout the South Island together for over eight years. We’re really passionate about providing fresh produce and quality products to our customers – that’s really important to us.
“My Cantabrian wife Karen grew up in Darfield, so we’re looking forward to putting down our family roots and have our two children grow up in the wonderful Wigram community. Our kids love to play shop, and our nine-year-old daughter even has her own checkout uniform to dress up in!” says James Backhouse.
The customer shopping experience has always remained top of mind for the husband-wife team, from placing items in logical areas, double-height ceilings to enhance the sense of space, to a barista in the entranceway, enabling shoppers to enjoy a hot coffee as they browse the aisles.
Roger Davidson, General Manager Property and Retail Development, Foodstuffs South Island says that the latest 2,600m2 New World supermarket in the South-West of Christchurch will create more than 100 new jobs for Cantabrians in the community.
“New World Wigram has many environmentally-friendly features, such as LED lighting, CO2 refrigeration, natural light panels in the ceiling and Foodstuff’s new recyclable plastic meat trays in the butchery. We’re proud of our commitment to reducing our stores’ carbon footprint, and this has been considered since the initial design process,” says Mr Davidson.
The opening of Wigram New World supermarket is part of the first stage of the Ngai Tahu Property Ltd development called The Landing.
Details for the opening of New World Wigram on Wednesday 30 September are:
8.30am
Welcome Speech from Roger Davidson, GM Property & Retail Development
Response from James and Karen Backhouse, Owner-Operators
Speech from Deputy Mayor Vicki Buck
Cutting of the Ribbon – James, Karen and Deputy Mayor Vicki Buck
9.00am
Supermarket opens to customers
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