More Maximart stores planned

Press, 11 December 1982, Page 10

More Maximart stores planned

PA Auckland The new Woolworths Maximart store in Christchurch has been so successful that the company is considering building another seven of them in the next two or three years. The general manager of Nathans’ variety division, Mr Ralph Parsons, has said that the company’s plans call for at least four new maximarts in Auckland, two in Wellington and one more in Christchurch over the next two to three years.

He said that the maximart concept gives new scope for the development of Nathans’ variety division and, if there is a magical success formula for retail stores the existing Christchurch maximart must “rank pretty close to it.” Nathans opened the Christchurch shop in February. It covers almost 5000 sq m and was the first of its kind in New Zealand. The Maximart concept is based on the Australian Big

W chain owned by . Woolworths. Australia. The Christchurch store cost Nathans’ $5 million with $600,000 spent on fixtures and fittings, $2 million on stock, and the balance on land and buildings. It carries about 35,000 different lines ranging from buttons to refrigerators. The store's discount merchandising has been criticised by some manufacturers, principally Fisher and Paykel, which has refused to supply its full range of appliances.

In his latest annual review, Nathans’ managing director, Mr Bruce Cole, said that Nathans would continue to press for supply of such goods as it is unwilling to accept an uncompetitive position by way of supply restrictions or pricing policies.

He said that negotiations for Maximart sites throughout New Zealand have a high priority.