Customer numbers up during refit

Press, 26 September 1989, Page 30

Customer numbers up during refit

After several years of planning, seven months of work and $1.2 million expenditure, the new, improved Redcliffs New World Supermarket is officially open for business — without ever having closed.

Not only did the supermarket never close its doors to customers throughout all the extension and alteration work and the refitting and reequipping, the Redcliffs Supermarket actually increased its customer traffic and business turnover during that time.

“Ever since work commenced in February, we never had a customer walk out and we owe a great deal to the considerable co-operation and understanding of our customers,” says Mr Ken Harman, the owner-opera-tor with his wife, Heather, of the Redcliffs New World Supermarket. “The whole operation went remarkably smoothly and we would like to thank all our customers for their support,” Mr Harman says. “And now, with all the alterations and improvements completed, we look forward to support from the local community and

further expanded growth from the greater community east of the bridge,” he says. Previously about 5000 square feet, the supermarket has been increased to 8000 square feet, with many new features.

In fact, the new Redcliffs New World Supermarket only shares. one outside wall and part of the roof in common with the old one.

Everything is new, from the automatic sliding doors at the entrance to the covered inwards goods areas at the rear and from the lino on the floor to the light fittings in the ceiling.

The new entrance way features a fully lobby and trolley storage area, from where you walk through to the new Lotto and Instant Kiwi stand, on to the fresh fruit and vegetable display. The large fresh fruit and vegetable display features the fine mist or fog which floats down, keeping everything moist, humidified and crispy fresh.

Despite popular misconception, the mist, or fog, is not a gas or artifical substance, but is produced

by electronically bombarding ordinary water. It is a system in common useage overseas, although the Redcliffs New World is the first supermarket to have this feature installed in the South Island. From this display you move on to the new meat chiller, featuring a large display of meats ranging from the family mince to a fine selection of gourmet meats.

Then comes the new, improved shelving system for the tinned and packaged produce and household items sections, with, far wider aisles than normally associated with a supermarket. These wider aisles are simply created by the improved shelving system being straight-sided, rather than inwards-inc-lining. The new-style shelving is also more er-gonomically-designed for reaching up. After wending your way up and down the aisles you come to the new hot chicken hutch, the new, large, modern deep freeze, the new delicatessen bar with everything from milk to local and imported gourmet cheeses, and the new salad bar.

Salads are prepared daily, either by a local supplier or in the supermarket’s own new kitchen area. All the salads are attractively presented on a bed of flowers on ice.

Finally, the check out area feature the very latest in electronic equipment, including scanners and conveyer belts, with fully-detailed, itemised electronic printout receipt. The check out facilities also include a full choice of EFT-POS systems.

More additions and alterations are not seen by customers, but are an essential aspect of any modern supermarket expecting to cater to today’s demanding and exacting customers.

As much as possible, Ken and Heather Harman try to support local suppliers, such as the locallyprepared salads, locallyproduced yoghurts and the fine selection of local wines.

Ken and Heather Harman also admit a great deal of gratitude to their staff of 15 full-timers and four part-timers, for their loyalty and cooperation.