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Bookseller Paper Plus is rolling out its new-look stores nationally after success with three pilot stores in Auckland, Papakura and Morrinsville.
The New Zealand-owned company this week announced plans for a national rollout beginning with the Tauranga region's seven stores this month. Four are former Take Note outlets which have been converted, two are brand new stores, and one is an existing Paper Plus store.
The new look - including a bigger emphasis on books - was started at Sylvia Park in mid-2007, followed by Morrinsville and Papakura stores.
Group chief executive Rob Smith said the Tauranga roll-out was the first in a planned wave. With a Paper Plus in every town from Kaitaia to Invercargill, the company has divided the country into 12 clusters which will adopt the new look progressively.
"The success of the initial launch and refurbishments inspired us to be ambitious in rolling out the new concept on a regional basis," said Smith.
The company has also linked up with broadcaster Kerre Woodham in a bid to stand out against overseas-owned chains such as Whitcoulls.
"Kerre Woodham's role as books' spokesperson, and Kerre's Choices in stores, have strengthened our position in that sector - we've grown market share in the past 12 months and had great feedback from customers and store owners," said Smith.
The group has three separate brands; Paper Plus, Take Note and Office Spot.
