After nearly a year of construction, Hastings locals have taken their long-awaited, first steps into the newest Countdown store, with the doors officially opened by Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst and longest-serving team member, Jenny Miller. Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngati Kahungunu Ki Heretaunga performed kapa haka at the opening and local mana whenua, and MP for Tukituki, Anna Lorck were in attendance along with local developer Jonathan Wallace and Countdown Hastings’ food rescue partners, The Salvation Army and Nourished for Nil, who received $500 of groceries each, to help some of the community’s most vulnerable people and families.
The new, 3,860 sqm Countdown Hastings store, which has an upgraded look and plenty of new features, has been developed on the same site as the original store, which was built more than 30 years ago. In addition to an in-store pharmacy, bakery, deli and cellar, the store also features some of Countdown’s latest sustainability initiatives including doors on all fridges to reduce carbon emissions, and bike parking to encourage customers and team to forgo the car when doing a quick shop.
Matt Grainger, Countdown’s Director of Property, says Countdown is thrilled to have delivered a brand new store for local customers that will serve them well in the years to come. “Our team have done an amazing job in the previous store for more than 30 years, but I know they’re really excited to be able to provide an even better shopping experience for their local customers.
“Not only is the store bigger with plenty of exciting new features, it’s also more energy efficient and gives shoppers even more choice, with an extended product range and a more streamlined click and collect service. There will of course be plenty of fantastic, Hawkes Bay-grown fresh produce on display too!
“We’re really grateful to the council for their support of the new store, and also to our customers for their patience through the construction process. We’ve been a part of the Hastings Heretaunga community since 1990, and we’re really thrilled to continue to be a part of its future,” says Grainger.
Mayor Hazlehurst says the new Countdown is a fantastic upgrade for the Hastings community.
“It’s been great working collaboratively with Countdown to develop this lovely new, modern supermarket for Hastings shoppers. Both Council and Countdown have put a great deal of thought into designing this store, including looking at opportunities to beautify the area for our community while providing the best possible shopping experience,” said Mayor Hazlehurst.
Countdown Hastings is open 7am-10pm, seven days a week. The older store will be demolished over the coming months, making way for additional landscaping and car parking.
