This highly anticipated opening marks a significant milestone for Foodstuffs North Island, with a $46 million investment to bring this state-of-the-art supermarket to the growing community. PAK'nSAVE Warkworth will create 149 new positions while offering customers a spacious and contemporary shopping experience.
Spanning a site of 5,300 square metres, which is just under the size of a soccer field, PAK'nSAVE Warkworth is conveniently located on the corner of Hudson Road and State Highway 1 in town. This store is the 58th PAK'nSAVE location in New Zealand, showcasing Foodstuffs' commitment to providing accessible and affordable groceries to communities across New Zealand.
Foodstuffs North Island Chief Executive Chris Quin said that PAK'nSAVE Warkworth offers an outstanding shopping experience and shows Foodstuffs' community support and sustainability.
"The store's design incorporates the latest generation format, featuring ample space for customers and efficient behind-the-scenes operations, all designed to keep costs down. There's lots of natural light coming into the store, enhancing the fresh food offerings in produce, seafood, and butchery," said Quin.
He added that there would soon be a convenient drive-through click-and-collect area, allowing customers to schedule their collection and deliver their groceries straight to their car.
PAK'nSAVE Warkworth takes pride in supporting local suppliers by stocking quality local produce to deliver the best prices for its customers. Examples include the store's relationships with local avocado growers in Tapora, mandarin growers in Matakana, and strawberry growers from Omaha. By sourcing locally, PAK'nSAVE Warkworth actively contributes to the community while keeping costs down for customers.
A commitment to sustainability is at the core of PAK'nSAVE's values, and PAK'nSAVE Warkworth is no exception. The store will employ various strategies to minimise food waste, including repurposing overripe bananas for delicious banana bread and utilising unsold hot-cooked chicken in pizzas, pasta dishes, and quiches in the deli.
PAK'nSAVE Warkworth will collaborate with the Warkworth Food Rescue team, which collects unsellable products for distribution to local food banks, positively impacting the community. The store also employs energy-efficient upright fridges and freezers, while recyclables such as plastics, tins, and glass are sorted and processed accordingly. Cardboard boxes and soft plastics will be baled and sent for recycling, and a soft plastic recycling system will be available to the public.
Owner Operator Anna Carmichael brings a wealth of experience to PAK'nSAVE Warkworth. With a Foodstuffs career spanning over 20 years, Carmichael's journey began as a checkout operator at New World Eastridge near Mission Bay in Auckland. She steadily advanced through various roles, including duty and grocery manager, before joining the Foodstuffs trainee owner-operator program. Carmichael's career includes owning a Four Square store in Taranaki, New World Island Bay in Wellington, before moving with her family to New World Warkworth 10 years ago and culminating in the opening of the brand new PAK'nSAVE Warkworth.
Owner Operator of PAK'nSAVE Warkworth, Anna Carmichael, said she was excited and proud to bring PAK'nSAVE's low prices to Warkworth.
"Having been a part of the community for ten years, Warkworth's a special place with its unique mix of urban dwellers and farming communities. I appreciate all the support I've received along the way and look forward to welcoming locals and visitors into the store," said Carmichael.
