Fresh look in store for Ha¯ wera’s Woolworths supermarket
Local shop 50th in country to be officially transformed
It was a case of Ha¯wera’s final countdown on Thursday when the town’s former Countdown supermarket launched its new look. The store was the 50th in the country to be officially transformed into a Woolworths supermarket, which Ha¯wera store manager Sharmayne Byrne said was the luck of the draw.
“I believe it was just by chance our store was the lucky number 50. We were so excited and there’s been a great buzz since we found out we would be number 50.”
The store is one of a total of 194 stores across the motu, all of which will be reverting back to the Woolworths brand, 12 years after the brand left New Zealand.
Byrne said they’ve been told it will take about three years for all 194 stores to undergo the transformation.
“We were just lucky enough to be in the early stages.”
Byrne believed the Stratford store is also set to be revamped in the next few months, but didn’t know about neighbouring stores in Whanganui or New Plymouth.
“I don’t have dates for any of those transformations. There is a lot that goes into deciding it [the order].”
The Ha¯ wera store’s transformation cost more than $190,000, Byrne said.
“We think the revamped signage and branding has really added value to the store and the shopping experience. It looks fantastic and I’m so proud when I come in the morning and walk through the doors.”
Byrne said as well as the new name and branding throughout, the store’s new look includes new shopping baskets, while the shopping trolleys have all had their handles rewrapped with Woolworths branding. The store also has new signs — even the staff have a new look.
“The team are kitted out in new uniforms which are much smarter and they are loving it.”
She said the team got together to celebrate the “flip” of the store from Countdown to Woolworths branding on Thursday.
“We held a small team event on the first morning of our official opening
We were so excited and there’s been a great buzz. Sharmayne Byrnev, Ha¯wera store manager
as Woolworths to celebrate the achievement and to commemorate all the hard work they have done. Stores take a team to open, and I’m proud of my team for what they achieve on a day-to-day basis. For me as a store manager, I know that Ha¯wera is a small regional store, but we’ve never felt disconnected from the larger stores or cities.”
Staff weren’t just excited by the new look, but what it represented, said Byrne. “There is a fantastic buzz about the store, staff have been looking forward to this for some time now. The change of name is not just a flip, but a recommitment to our brand ethos. We see this as a transformative period for the business, and the team believes in what we are doing.”
The store employs about 90 people, with two of them — Tui Te Rangi and Lisa Granville — worked for the company for more than 30 years. It opened in May 2019, said Byrne. “A baby store in the grand scheme of things, but despite our young age, our store has had a huge impact on the Ha¯wera community and we’re almost a landmark in the local community at this stage.”
Byrne said she is looking forward to continuing to be part of the local community. “I’m excited for what the future holds, and I do not take any day for granted. This change is an important mark in my career and I’m ready to open the Woolworths doors to the Ha¯wera public.”