Nearly 20 years after its opening in 2003, Countdown Bethlehem has marked a new chapter, launching as Woolworths Bethlehem, the first supermarket to change as part of Countdown's journey to become Woolworths New Zealand.
The Bethlehem supermarket has undergone a significant refresh over five months, with over $5 million invested in upgrading the store to meet the local community's needs. Highlights include a dedicated drive-up area for online customers to pick up orders easily, the introduction of electronic shelf labels, a new health foods aisle, and a fresh and modern look and feel throughout the store.
Woolworths Bethlehem Store Manager Dwaine Geddes was part of the original team that opened the store nearly 20 years ago and said it feels like a full-circle moment to be now leading the team through its reopening as Woolworths.
"I'm incredibly proud of what we've got on offer with our complete renovation. There is something for everyone, and I'd encourage our local customers to come along and look. This weekend, we'll have lots of fun opening weekend activities for the whole family, too, so don't miss out," said Geddes.
Woolworths New Zealand Managing Director Spencer Sonn opened the store alongside long-serving Bethlehem team members this morning. The refreshed store is an exciting milestone as the retailer accelerates its mission to be the best supermarket experience for New Zealand.
"Today is an example of the results our customers will see from the $400 million we invest in renewing and refreshing our stores to make them better and safer for local customers and our team. Our investment is not in changing signage. It's in modernising our stores to meet the needs of our communities across Aotearoa," said Sonn.
Sonn continued that customers will find more than a new name when walking around Woolworths Bethlehem.
"It's a new shopping experience with upgraded fresh produce, deli, bakery and seafood areas, electronic shelf labels, additional self-checkouts and new aisles with over 1700 new products on shelf."
To celebrate its reopening, Woolworths Bethlehem has also made donations to its local food rescue partners: Good Neighbour and The Salvation Army, to help continue their work to divert food that can't be sold but is still good enough to eat to Kiwis in need.
Woolworths Bethlehem is located in Bethlehem Town Centre at 19 Bethlehem Road, Tauranga, and is open 7 am to 10 pm, seven days a week.
