Countdown...

[Elysium]

Well looks like its all offcial. All three Progressive supermarket brands to be merged under one banner. Have to admit I like the new logo and store formats that are being rolled out.

No doubt this is going to save shit loads of money when you only have to print one mailer. What do people you think of the idea?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/2886572/Foodtown-Woolworths-NZ-brands-to-be-phased-out

Progressive Enterprises is to phase out its Foodtown and Woolworths brands during the next five years, replacing them with a "new generation" Countdown branding.

Progressive managing director Peter Smith said the Countdown brand was chosen, rather than Foodtown or Woolworths, due to its popularity with customers and its geographical spread across the country.

Foodtown was mostly restricted to Auckland, and Woolworths was basically the South Island and lower North Island, while Countdown stores were across the country, he said.

The new Countdown branding would be applied as stores were refurbished and new stores were built.

Australian parent company Woolworths planned to invest up to $1 billion in New Zealand during the next five years.

"We plan to open up to five new generation Countdown supermarkets and transform around 20 Woolworths, Foodtown and older Countdown stores to the new brand and format each year for the next five years," Mr Smith said.

The new branding was unveiled today at Progressive's Countdown Westgate store in West Auckland, where refurbishment was nearly finished.

Mr Smith said a new logo, which also replaced the current Countdown identity, represented fresh produce and the company's commitment to fresh food.

"It also represents a new beginning and direction of our business."

The new brand linked Progressive to Woolworths in Australia, where stores had also been gradually receiving new symbols.

Through its investment, Progressive would create 2000 to 3000 permanent new jobs. It employed more than 18,000 people now.

The chain had increased the space for fresh food, particularly produce. In some cases quadrupling the fresh produce area, Mr Smith said.

"That's what customers were asking for. They said, `look we don't mind your stores but we actually want more fruit and veg, we want more range in deli, we want more range in cheese."

Price was also a significant issue, but customers did not just shop on price alone.

Factors such as range, value, service, and convenience as well as price all worked together, he said.

In three or four places where two group supermarkets were close to each other, the issue would be dealt with on a store by store basis.

"But we're certainly not planning to close any stores, and we're certainly not planning to downsize any of them either."

[Blackshear]

A store is only as good as the people who work in it, IMO.
To me, brand means sweet FA. Apart from New World, they're greedy faggots.

[Naki Rat]

One of the "new generation" Countdown supermarkets has opened recently in New Plymouth. Well laid out and spacious, similar to the big supermarkets I saw in Canada when there a few years ago.

Which level of the multi tiered pricing regime that Progressive are now running will the single brand be priced at. The cheapest (presently Countdown) tier....? Tui's Ad

[ynot slow]

New is good lol.But when the idiots who design the layout,should work the required space and halve it again,that way heaps of room in the aisles,need to ensure 3 trolleys can pass each other.

[Headbanger]

My opinion on supermarkets is about as informed as the wifes opinion on oil....

[nallac]

No doubt this is going to save shit loads of money when you only have to print one mailer. What do people you think of the idea?

not good for the people and company who print em.:shit:

not more redundancys....

[RDjase]

A store is only as good as the people who work in it, IMO.
To me, brand means sweet FA. Apart from New World, they're greedy faggots.

With you there mate, New World are burglars, they do have a great(but expensive) Imported Beer selection tho

Is Pak n Save a different company(Progressive) to Countdown ?

[slofox]

The beancounters will be behind it - all designed to make someone more money...

[gw555]

Is Pak n Save a different company(Progressive) to Countdown ?

Pak n Save is owned by Foodstuffs as is New World and Four Square

Countdown Woolworths and Foodtown are owned by Progressive Enterprises

[Elysium]

Pak n Save is owned by Foodstuffs as is New World and Four Square

Countdown Woolworths and Foodtown are owned by Progressive Enterprises

Not really. Pak'n Save and New Worlds(?) are owner operated. Progresive own/ run all the stores (not land though in some parts) so they're run by store managers. Which is a good way because if your boss treats you bad you just complain to HR and usualy the store manager gets the boot. Unlike the Foofstuff stores where you're at the whims of the guy who owns the store.

[gw555]

okay if you want to be pedantic the Brand Names Pak N Save, Four Square and New World are owned by Foodstuffs

[gw555]

oh and of course Foodstuffs is also fragmented into:

Foodstuffs Auckland Limited - 47 New World, 22 PAK'nSAVE, and 104 Four Square owner-operated retail supermarkets, and one Duffy & Finn's and 34 Liquorland retail liquor outlets across the upper North Island. James Gilmour & Co Ltd

Foodstuffs (Wellington) Co-operative Society Limited - 46 New World and 14 PAK'nSAVE retail supermarkets, and 95 Four Square, two Shoprite and three Write Price stores, as well as 24 Liquorland, one Henry's Beer Wines & Spirits, and two Duffy & Finn's liquor retail outlets. Toops Wholesale Limited

Foodstuffs South Island Limited - 9 PAK'nSAVE, 39 New World, 83 Four Square retail supermarkets in the South Island, and more than 147 On the Spot convenience stores, and 24 Liquorland 16 Henry's Beer Wines & Spirits Trents Wholesale Limited.

Foodstuff Own Brands Limited

Foodstuffs (New Zealand) Limited

and:
Foodstuffs (NZ) Ltd acts as the Federation body for the three regional co-operatives which it is jointly owned by Foodstuffs (NZ) Ltd is based in Wellington, and owns the intellectual property in Foodstuffs brand names, but does not trade in its own right and is not a holding company. The executive team includes Tony Carter, Managing Director and Executive Manager Melissa Hodd.

Foodstuffs (NZ) Ltd provides a means of co-ordinating policy and national activities, and represents the collective interests of the Foodstuffs companies in industry affairs, with Government, and in areas of concern to the wider community.

[McDuck]

It happened in napier, there are two countdowns across the road form each other....

[riffer]

Yeah wondered what would happen here too. In Upper Hutt, we have a PakNSave, a Countdown and a Woolworths.

I guess the Woolies will probably close.

[McDuck]

Yeah wondered what would happen here too. In Upper Hutt, we have a PakNSave, a Countdown and a Woolworths.

I guess the Woolies will probably close.

Or you will have two countdowns.


Just seen the new logo on the news, it needs a capital letter at the start of the name.

[riffer]

Or you will have two countdowns.


Just seen the new logo on the news, it needs a capital letter at the start of the name.

Nah the Woolies is tiny. Doesn't fit with the brand.

As for the new identity, I'm afraid that the baby boomer's influence over this sort of thing is waning... capitalisation is no longer necessary.

[Usarka]

As for the new identity, I'm afraid that the baby boomer's influence over this sort of thing is waning... capitalisation is no longer necessary.

But capitalism is in full swing.....

[Swoop]

`we actually want more fruit and veg, we want more range in deli, we want more range in cheese."

Factors such as ... value
Fucking ripoff cunts. Woolworths and foodtown are the most expensive bunch of arsewipes in town. For fruit and Veg, go to your local shops. Supermarket veggies are grossly overpriced unless they can flood the market with some super-deal.

Not that the cuntdown supermarket is any better either. Who will pay for this re-branding exercise??? The customer.

Bastards.

[Usarka]

Fuck the supermarkets!

[McDuck]

Fucking ripoff cunts. Woolworths and foodtown are the most expensive bunch of arsewipes in town. For fruit and Veg, go to your local shops. Supermarket veggies are grossly overpriced unless they can flood the market with some super-deal.

Not that the cuntdown supermarket is any better either. Who will pay for this re-branding exercise??? The customer.

Bastards.

But if it means they can do things more effencently because of the new stores then good on them.

[Swoop]

But if it means they can do things more effencently because of the new stores then good on them.
Yup. According to the morning news it will cost one BILLION dollars to "rebrand".

Where will that be coming from... I guess prices will rise in the "new" supermarkets to cover that little gem.

[Naki Rat]

Ever noticed that the first department you enter in any supermarket is fresh produce. This is because it is the one area where a supermarket can differentiate itself from its competitors as all packaged drygoods etc. appear in all supermarkets and the small margins possible prevent any point of advantage unless used as a 'loss leader' (which is a product line sold at a loss just to lure you into the store).

Supermarkets reputedly make most of their money by investing customers' spendings on short term interest, rather than on product mark-up (profit). This is possible because sales are paid at the checkout (mostly immediately) but supermarket stock is paid for at month's end so there is a sizeable delay between money in and money out.

I'm sure someone will have a different bent on this but bears thinking about...... :whistle:

[Mully]

Was discussing this with a mate (yes, I have some) a while back. He's in the industry and heard some whispers that this was going to happen.

In his opinion, this is going to bite Progressive in the arse. They've decided that NZ is a litte Australia and have done what they're doing in AU with regard to the consolidation of the brands.

Apparently, NZ shoppers are more sophisticated that AU shoppers (I'm not bagging, that's just what he said) and this is likely to alienate anyone who uses the brands which are going to disappear.

So Foodstuffs will be laughing their heads off privately. Because, where will those shoppers who want a "premium" supermarket brand go? New World.

"T'aint what ya do, it's the way that ya do it" - I'm told.

Still, it'll be interesting to watch this play out.

[PirateJafa]

Ever noticed that the first department you enter in any supermarket is fresh produce. This is because it is the one area where a supermarket can differentiate itself from its competitors as all packaged drygoods etc. appear in all supermarkets and the small margins possible prevent any point of advantage unless used as a 'loss leader' (which is a product line sold at a loss just to lure you into the store).

Supermarkets reputedly make most of their money by investing customers' spendings on short term interest, rather than on product mark-up (profit). This is possible because sales are paid at the checkout (mostly immediately) but supermarket stock is paid for at month's end so there is a sizeable delay between money in and money out.

I'm sure someone will have a different bent on this but bears thinking about...... :whistle:

Actually supermarkets do make a fair bit of money off product mark-up. But only in certain areas.

The dry goods section (the middle of the store, everything on the aisle shelves basically) is running at a profit of essentially nil - and once specials and loss-leaders are taken into account, actually running at a slight loss.

However the "fringe" departments in the store - fresh produce, the deli, butchery, bakery etc is where there is a decent markup on the products, and their money is made.

[PirateJafa]

Apparently, NZ shoppers are more sophisticated that AU shoppers (I'm not bagging, that's just what he said) and this is likely to alienate anyone who uses the brands which are going to disappear.

So Foodstuffs will be laughing their heads off privately. Because, where will those shoppers who want a "premium" supermarket brand go? New World.

Slyer and myself were having a chuckle about the irony of turning all the Foodtowns into Countdowns, when the parent company is called Progressive. :whistle: (Being ex-Countdown employees)

[crazyhorse]

New is good lol.But when the idiots who design the layout,should work the required space and halve it again,that way heaps of room in the aisles,need to ensure 3 trolleys can pass each other.

3 trolleys???? Be nice if 2 trolleys could fit down some aisles...... :angry2:

[Usarka]

Apparently, NZ shoppers are more sophisticated that AU shoppers (I'm not bagging, that's just what he said) and this is likely to alienate anyone who uses the brands which are going to disappear.


I'd hardly say I'm sophisticated, but when the nearby foodtown turned into a Countdown I thought it was a backwards step so went a step further and moved my shopping and pak'n'save.

Got my Hep-A and tetnus jabs up to date first though.....

[davebullet]

We have a woolworths and countdown in johnsoville.

HEre's my prediction...

The woolies will be turned into a "new countdown" and will get the first cut at meat and fresh produce.

Then anything unsold after 3 days of festering in the heat will be sent over to the old countdown to be sold "discount" to the peasants.

It's basically what happens now, but with a new marketing logo to give you the warm fuzzies that they give a shit.

We now buy meat from the Mad Butcher and fruit and veges from the Cable st. market in town. Butcher isn't really cheaper but better quality. The market is heaps cheaper plus better quality. Well worth the trip (especially on a motorcycle on a fine, sunny Sunday morning).

[Ixion]

3 trolleys???? Be nice if 2 trolleys could fit down some aisles...... :angry2:

Needs to be minimum width = one trolley crosswise (idiot woman's) + one fat woman's backside (idiot woman) + one trolley normalwise (me).

[Swoop]

Needs to be minimum width = one trolley crosswise (idiot woman's) + one fat woman's backside (idiot woman) + one trolley normalwise (me).
Completely wrong. You have forgotten to allow for retard shelf-stacker + trolley full of empty boxes, one trolley crosswise (idiot woman's) + one fat woman's backside (idiot woman) + one trolley normalwise + mouth-breathing/knuckle-dragging moron who likes to stand and stare at a shelf for no good reason.

Approximate width required for a sensible sized aisle = 17 metres (minimum).