Tony Catton, Foodstuffs (Auckland) acting general manager for property strategy, is in charge of developing the New World Metro supermarket, opening in the city's CBD in March.
The smaller-format store below the BNZ Centre at 125 Queen St had limited space so fresh produce would be a dominant feature, he said.
"That's the categories where products can bounce out at people with the right colours and smells," he said.
Framing has risen for back-of-house food handling and preparation areas, walls are lined and the ceilings are being closed in. The escalators remain wrapped in protective plastic and floor coverings are yet to be laid.
The supermarket would be a useful offering in the central city, aimed at office workers and residents, and Foodstuffs decided being in the area was ideal, he said, predicting further stores would be built soon.
