23 February 2011

The operations of Countdown Supermarket remain disrupted following the Christchurch earthquake.

Stores Countdown stores in the Christchurch area will not be re-opened until it is deemed safe to do so. Countdown stores have experienced damage to fittings and fixtures and some stores have experienced structural damage.

Countdown stores currently trading include Countdown Rangiora, Countdown Kaiapoi and Countdown Hornby. These stores are currently trading with skeleton staff and have experienced significant stock damage. We would like to ask our customers to be patient as we endeavour to re-stock and re-staff our stores.

Countdown expects to open Countdown Avonhead, Countdown Northlands and Countdown Northwood later today and this evening. All other stores and online shopping services in the area remain closed and online shopping services in the Christchurch area remain suspended until further notice.

Food Supplies, Stock & Logistics Countdown stores have experienced significant damage to stock. Stock has also been lost due to refrigeration and power outages. The safety of our customers will always come first and consequently some stock will need to be disposed of for food safety reasons.

There has minimal impact on our distribution centres but they are operating on skeleton staff. Additional supplies of essential items are being organised for stores in the affected area.

Employees Team members who have been affected by this incident will continue to be encouraged to be with their families. Those team members who are in a position to do so are working hard to get our stores operational and open.

Thankfully we have had only a small number of injuries reported from team members working in our stores.

Community Response Countdown will once again be supporting the Salvation Army Canterbury Earthquake Appeal. From later today, customers will be able to contribute donations to the appeal at any Countdown, Woolworths, Foodtown, SuperValue or FreshChoice store throughout New Zealand.

Countdown will work with emergency services and community relief organisations to assist the Canterbury community where possible.

The next update on Countdown’s operations will be made later today. Details are also available on www.countdown.co.nz.

ENDS

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