Cairns Central shuffle

Myer to downsize, Woolworths possible

A SHAKE-UP is brewing at Cairns Central Shopping Centre as Myer prepares to downsize and make room for the nation’s biggest supermarket giant to gain a foothold.

The two-storey department store’s anticipated reduction to a single floor of retail space forms part of a major refurbishment flagged for the shopping centre.

Insiders have placed the overall cost of the project in the tens of millions of dollars.

Myer is in discussion with centre owner Lendlease about the reconfiguration, which would free up the smaller topfloor tenancy for a new Woolworths supermarket.

A reduction in staff is not expected as Myer aims to improve its product and brand offerings at the store.

“We are in discussion with the landlord to invest in the store and centre to provide an even better shopping experience for our loyal customers,” a Myer spokesman said. “Myer has served the Cairns community for more than 20 years and we look forward to continuing to provide leading products, brands and service to our Cairns customers into the future.”

It will be Woolworths’ first foray into the city’s flagship shopping centre, which currently has Coles as its sole supermarket and has previously been home to the nowdefunct Bi-Lo chain.

A Cairns Central spokeswoman said no deals had yet been finalised.

“We are currently in very early discussions with various retailers about plans for a potential refurbishment at Cairns Central,” she said.

“Cairns Central is always looking for opportunities to enhance the centre, to meet the needs of our customers and retailers.”

A Woolworths spokeswoman was tight-lipped about the plan to secure a presence in the centre.

“For the convenience of our customers, we are always looking for new opportunities to bring Woolworths supermarkets to more locations, but there is nothing specific on Cairns Central for us to report at this stage,” she said.