Countdown opens first small-format store in Auckland

Countdown has opened a 600sqm small-format store on Lower Albert Street in Auckland’s CBD, featuring a range of fresh food and groceries designed specifically for city residents, commuters, workers and visitors.

This is the supermarket’s first small-format Metro store, and the company did extensive research before deciding its range, according to Natalie Davis, Countdown’s managing director.

“The new Metro is located in a burgeoning part of the CBD with a number of apartment complexes and transport hubs nearby.  We’ve noticed a real shift in how our CBD customers are shopping and we’ve kept this at the forefront of our design and range,” Davis said.

“When we researched the CBD, we found that 65 per cent of city centre customers want hot meals for lunch to take away, 61 per cent want coffee to go and 74 per cent want snack food. 

“But they also want to be able to select something for dinner that isn’t just takeaways and to get their essentials like bread, milk and fruit as well without having to stop somewhere else on the way home.”

The store offers breakfast, lunch and dinner grab-and-go options, barista-made coffee, fresh sandwiches made in-store, deli salads, hot food, meal kits and catering options, kombucha on tap, as well as a select range of groceries for top-up shops.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, who opened the store on Friday, said that Countdown’s new Metro reflects the changing landscape of Auckland’s central city.

“Central Auckland is undergoing a significant transformation, with around $6 billion of investment by local and central government over the next five years for projects such as the City Rail Link, the Quay Street upgrade, the Karangahape Road enhancements and more.

“This investment is creating a world-class central city for Auckland, and it’s great to see it complemented by private sector developments such as the new Metro store, which will provide a quick and easy shopping experience for the growing numbers of people who live in, work in and visit our thriving downtown precinct.”

The Metro store is approximately 600sqm and stocks about 5000 products, compared to the 3000sqm and up to 25,000 products at an average Countdown supermarket.

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