Our Company
Progressive Enterprises
New Generation Countdown
Our HistoryWoolworths Limited
- News & Media Releases
- Countdown Rangiora East to Open in Canterbury
- Countdown Auckland Metro opens in CBD
- Christchurch Earthquake Update
- New Countdown in Kerikeri opens as of of New Zealands most modern supermarkets
- Construction set to start on new Dargaville Countdown
- Countdown of the future opens in Rolleston
- Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal raises $830,000
- Countdown Food Rescue
- Last Woolworths and Foodtown stores farewelled
- Maui Gas Pipeline
- Trainee of the Year
- Baby wipes update
- Countdown committed to Canterbury region
- Countdown Ferrymead to be rebuilt
- The Palms re-opens
- Nominations now open
- Countdown Kids
- Trusted Supermarket
- Trelise Eco Bags
- Soho Square
- Countdown to unveil first Te Reo store at Tokoroa
- Wiri Distribution Centre
- Fan Heater Recall
- Self Serve Checkouts arrive at Countdown Manukau City Mall
- MD to retire
- Price of milk
- Retail Careers
- Security Notice
- Canterbury Appeal
- Progressive Enterprises supports the Government’s decision to increase the minimum wage
- Waiheke Re-opens
- Countdown helping to serve up MasterChef New Zealand for another two seasons
- Fresh Future children's hospital appeal launches today
- Countdown, proud sponsors of the Senior New Zealander of the Year Award
- Countdown acquires FreshChoice Springlands
1980s
1980
L.D. Nathan acquired McKenzie's (Woolworths competitor) general merchandise stores and supermarkets. These stores rebranded to Woolworths.
Supermarkets begin opening on Saturday mornings.
1981
In May 1981, the first Countdown supermarket opened in Northlands, Christchurch. This business was established by Rattrays Wholesale and gained momentum through the 1980s. The Rattrays Wholesale Group included the Rattrays Cash and Carry warehouses, tobacco vans, now known as the Red Arrow Distributors fleet, and also included the SuperValue group of franchised supermarkets, now operating as SuperValue/Fresh Choice.
1985
L.D. Nathan merged with Lion Breweries to form Lion Nathan. Woolworths general merchandise and supermarket chain split into two separate divisions with the supermarket business retaining the Woolworths brand and the general merchandise stores rebranded.
Barcode scanning was introduced.
1986
Woolworths began a major refurbishing programme and rationalisation of stores with many small and unprofitable stores closing. A major marketing campaign commenced to show the Woolworths brand as a full-service supermarket with a strong fresh foods offer.
GST replaced wholesale sales taxes.
1987
The Price Chopper format evolved as a discounter with a limited fresh foods offer. This enabled Woolworths to keep its smaller stores open and ensure these sites were not taken over by competitors.
1988
Big Fresh was opened at Mt Wellington. This was New Zealand's first "farmers' market" with the most extensive fresh food offer. These stores were aimed at entertaining customers as they shopped. The Big Fresh format with its all-singing, all-dancing cast of vegetables and animals, put the fun into shopping for many New Zealand families.
1988
In 1988 Coles-Myer took control of the business. During the next five years, Australian based Coles-Myer managed the Foodtown supermarket chain.
