Owned and operated by Bryan Dobson and his wife Anne, PAK’nSAVE Invercargill looks better than ever after its three-year upgrade.
Grocery runs in Dobson’s veins, as growing up in Alexandra, his parents operated a roadside stall selling fruit and vegetables. He attended Dunstan High School and decided to jump straight into grocery.
Because of his parent's stall, Dobson knew the importance of customer service at a very young age. As he got older, this translated into a want to work in a customer-driven environment to ensure he provided the best for his local community.
His first venture into Foodstuffs was a partnership with his brother-in-law at the Green Island Milk Bar. From there, he took on the challenge of running a 24-hour service station in Dunedin - which was when he met his wife, who was working as the Deputy Registrar in the Dunedin High Court. Bryan and Anne were married not long after and decided to take on the opportunity that was PAK’nSAVE Invercargill in 1992.
Invercargill was PAK’nSAVE’s first location on the South Island. Its initial owners struggled to operate as the brand was not yet recognised in grocery. When Bryan and Anne saw it was for sale, they knew their work was cut out for them.
The couple’s hard work paid off, as the store is thriving 31 years later.
“It is the people of Southland, the fantastic team we have on board here, and the great suppliers that we get the opportunity to work alongside that have kept Bryan’s passion alive,” said Tanya Dobson, daughter of Bryan and Anne and PAK’nSAVE Invercargill’s Operations Manager.
The store's recent upgrade included wider aisles, more natural light, electronic ticketing, a customer lift, a cafe, parking availability indicators, renewed plant and equipment across all departments, online shopping capabilities and SHOP’nGo technology.
PAK'nSAVE Invercargill before upgrades
SHOP’nGo is a great time-saving opportunity that allows customers to scan their own goods to avoid queues and pack as they go. The customers have been loving it; on average, 16 percent of the store's transactions use the technology.
The overall upgrade was about providing a better experience for customers and PAK’nSAVE team members. The store is less congested and ambient. Staff members are also making the most of the indoor-outdoor flow in the new staff room, which has a view of the Otepuni gardens.
“Our Customers went along the Journey with us and faced challenges throughout this change as we went along. They have embraced this change with absolute positivity and are enjoying the experience we are now able to provide them.”
PAK'nSAVE Invercargill after upgrades
Like many supermarkets, rising living costs and inflation are affecting customer spending. Still, PAK’nSAVE Invercargill has noticed an increase in customers transitioning from competitors due to its low prices and in-store excellence.
Another challenge the store has faced recently is theft. The management team is working closely with the Police to stop those taking advantage of the store, while still delivering a valuable experience for day-to-day customers.
On a more positive note, for anyone entering the industry, the Dobson family recommends taking all opportunities, asking for help and working as a team. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but some of it was - each day, you get a step closer to where you want to be in every challenge in life.
To finish, the family wanted to thank Foodstuffs:
“We would like to thank Foodstuffs for supporting us mentally, physically, and financially over the last 31 years. It is an honour to be part of the cooperative which provides so much support to us all.”
