Countdown shelves plans for new site

Countdown has been in Napier just over 25 years.

Supermarket chain Countdown has been looking for a new site in Napier, signalling a possible move into the suburbs.

But it currently has no plans, having gone cold on a Taradale Rd site which according to rumour might be used for a new market along with the splitting of its two near-neighbouring stores a short distance from the Napier CBD.

General manager of property Adrian Walker yesterday told Hawke's Bay Today: "As a business, we're always looking for opportunities to develop our offer for customers. We had considered the former Placemakers site, but are no longer pursuing this as it is too close to our existing two Napier stores.

"We currently have no plans in place for the future development of our Napier sites."

Countdown has been in Napier just over 25 years, since the Countdown Foodmarket was built as one of the first North Island supermarkets of a chain started by Christchurch-based Rattray's Wholesale in 1981.

It occupies a site bounded by Dickens, Station and Munro streets, across the road from a second Countdown store, which was Woolworths until it was rebranded after the two both came under ownership of Progressive Enterprises.

Similar situations, Countdown stores in close proximity, also occur in Johnsonville and Upper Hutt.

Rival Foodstuffs is involved in a redevelopment of the Pak 'n Save Tamatea in Napier, with building set to start in October.