Progressive Enterprises Limited

•    Countdown is on to two new supermarkets in Canterbury region
•    Expansion of Countdown Distribution Centre
•    Countdown The Palms now open

Countdown is committed to ongoing investment in the Canterbury region following the devastating earthquakes, the supermarket operator said today.

The commitment follows today’s announcement that Countdown Ferrymead would be demolished and rebuilt*.

Countdown is on to two new supermarkets in Canterbury region
Managing Director Dave Chambers said Countdown is opening two new stores in the region with Countdown Rolleston and Countdown Rangiora expected to open between December 2011 and January 2012.

“Our business is committed to investing in Christchurch at a time when the region needs it the most,” Mr Chambers said.

Construction is well underway at both stores with local contractors Calder Stewart Industries Ltd and Hanham & Philp Ltd working on Rangiora and Rolleston respectively. The two new Countdown supermarkets represent a combined investment of over $40 million by the company.

“At Countdown Rangiora, the walls and the majority of the roof have been completed and we’re starting to fit out the store’s interior. At Countdown Rolleston, we are further advanced and the internal fit out is in progress and the car park is well underway.

“Countdown Rangiora and Countdown Rolleston will create a wide variety of retail jobs from department management positions to part-time opportunities in areas such as customer service and night-fill.

“We are actively searching for Cantabrians who are passionate about quality food, motivated to deliver exceptional customer service and excited about a career in supermarket retailing.”

Interested applicants can visit www.countdown.co.nz, call 0800 40 40 40 or email chchrecruitment@progressive.co.nz.

Mr Chambers said the company was also actively looking for new supermarket development opportunities in the Canterbury region.


Expansion of Countdown Distribution Centre
Countdown’s Christchurch Regional Distribution Centre facility located in Hornby is also undergoing a significant expansion.

“The existing warehouse is being expanded by approximately 7000m2 and the canopies by a further 4,300m2. Access on and off the site is being improved and the office facilities and amenities are being modernised,” Mr Chambers said.

The upgrade to the distribution centre represents a significant investment by the landlord and is being completed by local contractors Calcon Ltd and Calder Stewart Industries Ltd.

In addition to the expansion of the Distribution Centre by the landlord, Countdown is also investing $8 million in fitting out the expanded DC which is expected to be completed by April 2012.

Countdown The Palms now open
Last Thursday, Countdown The Palms reopened for business following the earthquakes and Mr Chambers said the customer response has been extremely positive.

“It was a huge effort for our team to reopen Countdown The Palms and one we hope we never have to repeat. Our team are enjoying seeing our local customers in the supermarket again and many customers have complimented us on the new and improved store,” Mr Chambers added.


* Subject to the appropriate consents and approvals being obtained.

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