Woolies closes Douglas stores
GROCERY giant Woolworths is bailing out of two Townsville stores as part of a plan to cut costs in the wake of its $ 3 billion Masters debacle.
A Woolworths spokesman confirmed yesterday that the company would exit the Riverside Gardens and James Cook University Discovery Rise stores on April 23 but did not provide comment on the reasons.
“On Sunday 23 April, the Woolworths stores at Riverside Gardens and Discovery Rise will close permanently,” the spokesman said in a statement.
“We are fully committed to supporting all 90 team members, who we aim to redeploy in other stores in the area.
“We wish to thank our customers for their support and we look forward to welcoming them at our neighbouring stores at the Willows, Castletown and Nathan Plaza amongst others in the local area.”
A James Cook University spokesman said they were un- able to comment at this stage “based on obligations of confidentiality”.
IGA, which originally traded at the Riverside Gardens store, is being tipped to make a return.
Riverside Gardens Pharmacy operator Michael Jensen said comment at the shopping centre was that IGA would take over from Anzac Day.
“We think there’s plenty of potential at the centre,” Mr Jensen said. “We are hoping some people will open up.”
Mr Jensen said some residents were apprehensive about having IGA trade at the centre again but he believed it would still be supported by the area’s significant residential population.
Last year Woolworths announced it would cut 500 jobs and close 27 underperforming stores in a restructure that would cost the company almost $ 1 billion.
It followed a $ 3.2 billion write- down by the retailer when it announced plans to sell its Masters and Home Timber and Hardware businesses.
Woolworths took on the Riverside Gardens store in 2013 when it acquired the outlet and the Rasmussen supermarket from IGA.