This Week
WEDNESDAY 6 November 2013
7
Kmart opens to thousands of shoppers Simon Bloomberg
Senior reporter Reporter
simon@waimeaweekly.co.nz
The customers voted with their feet last week with thousands of shoppers swarming into Kmart’s latest outlet which opened in Richmond last Thursday. “It’s really good value with some great bargains,’ says satisfied Richmond shopper Julia Noble emerging from the new discount department store with her arms full with baby daughter Zara and some of those bargains. “I got this horse and carriage toy for Zara’s second birthday next month for just $3 and I liked the layout because it’s more like a department store than a discount store.” Tahuna’s Toni Dowling was also happy with the new store saying she had spent $140 on household goods and clothing. “I had an appointment in Richmond so I thought I’d take a look. It’s really good - Richmond needed a shop like this.” But Kmart isn’t just good news for shoppers, according to Nelson MP Nick Smith who says the new store is also good for the region’s economy. The store provides 90 jobs which Nick says will help reduce the
Julia Noble and her daughter Zara, aged one, were among the thousands of shoppers who went bargain hunting when Kmart’s new store opened. Photo: Simon Bloomberg. region’s already low unemployment figures. “The opening of the new Richmond Kmart is a real sign that economic confidence in the region is on the up. New Household Labour Force Survey figures revealed that we have the lowest unemployment rate in the country at 3.9 per cent – well below the national average of 6.2 per cent and the lowest rate we’ve achieved for some years. “It is particularly encouraging that this improvement has come about by the growth of 1300 new jobs over the last year. The good news is that these figures pre-date exciting new developments like the
Richmond Kmart store.” The building, owned and constructed by Nelson firm Gibbons Holdings, is also home to a new Benge & Co Green Grocers, and Couplands Bakery. Next month a coffee shop and sushi store will also open onsite, followed by The Warehouse and a two-storey office block which are due for completion in July next year. Gibbons purchased the former Placemakers site neighbouring Richmond Mall in 2001, and it has sat vacant since 2006. Richmond Kmart store manager Camrin Holmes says the opening day was a big hit with thousands of people coming in the doors.
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