SUPERMARKET GIANT CHECKS OUT OF GEELONG:
A GERMAN supermarket giant’s plan to build a megastore in Geelong has been dumped.
“Hypermarket” chain Kaufland yesterday announced it would “undertake an orderly withdrawal from the Australian market” before opening a single store, despite having hired about 200 employees.
The retailer’s plans to build a 6892sq m store on Colac Rd, Highton, faced opposition from Geelong councillors late last year, citing concerns about a lack of community consultation and proximity to residential housing.
The megastore was proposed to sit on a 19,000sq m block across from Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre.
The final decision on the supermarket had been with the State Government before Kaufland announced its exit.
Kaufland International chief Frank Schumann said the decision to withdraw from the Australian market was in no way a reflection of the efforts of local employees or management, or the support the retail challenger had received from the Australian business community or governments.
“This was not an easy decision for us,” he said. “We always felt welcome in Australia.
“We would like to thank our employees and we apologise for the disruption this decision will cause.
“We would also like to thank our business partners, who offered us great support over the last few years. We would also like to thank the government for being very open-minded to our projects.”
Geelong Advertiser readers had slammed the council’s move against the project.
“The opposition to this decision baffles me,” reader Bianca said.