Upgraded Woolies to open next month

Woolworth's state marketing manager Rob Wilson with New Norfolk store boss, Alli Batge. 

 

A fast-moving effort to boost the highly popular Direct to Boot services to New Norfolk’s Woolworths supermarket is on track to open at the end of next month.

The renewal of the George Street operation will bring additional jobs to the store, which already employs 119 people.

With an investment of over $5 million, the refurbishment of the store also includes a significant change to the delicatessen, removing plastic wrapping and returning to an old-fashioned style of fresh-cut products behind glass.

Elsewhere, store operations are shifting to electronic ticketing in order to reduce paper waste and the bakery is to undergo some changes as well.

At the same time, the New Norfolk supermarket is to replace the steel trolleys and switch to a new model that is made of a fully recyclable plastic.

Rob Wilson, State Marketing Manager, said the refurbishment would put New Norfolk at the forefront of contemporary supermarket operations.

“It’s the third Tasmanian store to get upgraded this year,” he said, a list which includes one in the Launceston suburb of Mowbray, which reopened in the past week.

Mr Wilson says supermarkets need to refresh their stores from time to time, to make them attractive to their customers and meet their expectations in terms of product ranges and presentation.

Store renewals typically involve updating the layout and design of the interior to give a store a new and more customer focused look.

"Shopper demand here in New Norfolk also tells us the Direct to Boot operation is what they want,” he says, “because it enables them to order online and then drive through and collect their groceries in one easy process.”

A large new building for the Direct to Boot function is now being constructed by local contractors and expected to open by the end of October.  

“Customers won’t have to find a spot in the carpark, but instead will drive straight into the dedicated undercover pickup area,” said Mr Wilson.

"And we’ll have our own team of personal shoppers right there, to do the shopping and bring it to your boot. That’s where and why we’ll need more team members to support our online operations"

“It’s what the consumer wants and it’s just so easy and convenient,” he said.