Countdown has announced its long-term commitment to delivering New Zealand’s best supermarket experiences for customers and teams with an accelerated transformation programme underway.
The transformation includes more customer value through a refreshed loyalty programme with the launch of Everyday Rewards for New Zealand planned for early 2024. Significant investment is planned, with over NZD 400 million over the next three years allocated to a renewal of the store network, with a focus on older stores across Aotearoa.
Customers will also see more convenient eCommerce shopping options, a deeper connection to grassroots community activities, and further commitment to top-quality fruit and vegetables with a state-of-the-art Christchurch Fresh Distribution Centre opening in 2024. This will complement the Auckland Fresh Distribution Centre, which opened in 2022.
From early 2024, Countdown Supermarkets will be rebranded as Woolworths Supermarkets New Zealand, a name well-known locally, given the brand’s long history in the country.
Managing Director of Countdown and Woolworths Group New Zealand, Spencer Sonn, said the supermarket retailer has been working hard to become a better business and do more to meet customers' needs and expectations. Now is the time to accelerate that change.
“Having had the privilege of leading the New Zealand team for over two years now, I know there’s a lot that people love about what we do, and none of that will go away,” said Sonn.
“But our ambition is to be the best and to do this. We know we need to be a better place to shop, work for and all-around better for Aotearoa’s tomorrow.”
Sonn continued that they are proud to be part of New Zealand communities. With this transformation, customers can expect to see more value, better ways to shop in-store and online, sustained investment in Coutndown’s charity partnerships and for the supermarket to lead in sustainability.
“Delivering the best supermarket experiences includes our team too. We’re privileged to employ over 22,000 hard-working New Zealanders, and we want to give every one of them a fantastic experience, whether it’s a part-time job after school or a decades-long career with us.”
In the coming months and years, New Zealanders can expect Countdown to bring the best of the Woolworths brand across Tasman and equally share the best of what the supermarket has here with the broader Woolworths Group.
“We’re changing for the better; a name change for our stores is just one part.”
Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said that Woolworths has a long history in New Zealand, opening its first New Zealand store in Wellington in 1929 and now operating 194 Countdown supermarkets nationwide.
“I’m excited by today’s announcement and what it means for our continued commitment to New Zealand and its ongoing importance to Woolworths Group.”
Banducci said the next stage of the supermarket's transformation and the rebranding of its stores to Woolworths Supermarkets New Zealand means that the supermarket was doubling down on its trans-Tasman connection to bring the very best to Kiwi customers.
This included a refreshed loyalty programme that provided more value and a materially improved fresh offer.
Countdown Supermarkets will rebrand to Woolworths Supermarkets New Zealand in early 2024, with individual store signage changes beginning in the coming months and the entire network planned for the next few years.
Other parts of the supermarket’s transformation programme include investing in making stores safer, with more than NZD 45 million of investment planned for adding security measures and upskilling team members. The business has also recently rolled out Sonder, a well-being solution across Woolworths Group that provides 24/7 access to care for all of its team and their whānau.
Customers are invited to provide feedback and ask questions about the announcement through the dedicated portal: Woolworths-listens.co.nz
