New Zealand airports are getting their share of retail limelight with the recent addition of four new stores.
Ruby has just launched at Auckland International Airport. As part of the national hub’s new fashion initiative, Ruby is the first NZ boutique clothing brand to open airside. The space is celebrated as the label’s tenth bricks and mortar store, the interior dressed in a classic contemporary aesthetic.
Ruby MD, Christine Sharma, spearheaded the project, commenting, “we’re excited about launching a Ruby presence here; the opportunity to shop post check-in and enjoy tax free shopping should never be underestimated”.
Ruby & Liam’s complete spring 2015 collections, Nectarine and All Your Stars Are Out, are available as well as a full range of accessories and other essentials.
Today Countdown opened its Christchurch Airport store, with an official opening ceremony held by Deputy Mayor Vicki Buck, members of Christchurch International Airport Board and members of the community.
The new 2,432sqm store features a full production bakery, instore butchery, self check-outs, and combined seafood and deli.
The new store will create 75 new jobs in the community. At least 22 employees have been transitioned to Countdown Christchurch Airport from other stores to supplement a total team of 97 employees. This increases the number of Cantabrians employed by Countdown to 2,134 across the 18 stores in the region.
Store manager, Penny Hardaker, says it has been a busy lead up to the opening, but unveiling the bigger and better shopping experience to the Christchurch community “has been great”. Hardaker, who has been with the company in various roles for 14 years, is proud to be growing her team with members of the local community.
The opening was also attended by Salvation Army Major, Kingsley Sampson, and representatives from the Salvation Army, who were presented with a trolley of groceries for the local food bank. The new store will join Countdown’s Food Rescue program, which donated $3.4 million worth of food to food banks around NZ in the last year.
Buck says Countdown’s new state of the art supermarket is a great new facility for Christchurch’s North West.
“Countdown has been a part of the Christchurch community since 1981 and it’s great to see them continue to invest in our city, providing more employment and new amenities,” says Buck.
Countdown’s acting MD, Pat McEntee, says the company is delighted to offer a new shopping experience in Christchurch.
“We are thrilled to be opening a modern, new store in Christchurch. We thank our customers for their patience while we built the new store and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone in,” says McEntee.
Prior to the Ruby and Countdown additions to NZ airports, duty free retailers Aelia and The Loop replaced DFS and JR Duty Free at Auckland Airport.
