Countdown Supermarkets - Christchurch Earthquake Update

Countdown Supermarkets - Christchurch Earthquake Update

• Countdown New Brighton and Supervalue Woolston Opens in Christchurch East

Countdown New Brighton and SuperValue Woolston opened to customers in Christchurch East today.

Countdown New Brighton is fully stocked with supplies of grocery and fresh products. Fresh bread is also being delivered daily.

Countdown’s Chief Operating Officer, Dave Chambers, said the team at Countdown New Brighton have worked tirelessly to restore supermarket services to eastern Christchurch residents.

“The damage to the store was extensive. Apart from broken fittings and stock, the store suffered from liquefaction. We had an old artesian bore blow through the floor in one of the aisles. A hole had to be cut in the concrete floor and a bobcat brought inside to dig until they found the source of the water and capped the spring. Our team spent three days mopping up silt and water,” Mr Chambers said.

“Our team was been determined to get Countdown New Brighton open for the local community despite working in tough conditions with no sewerage or water services and only generator power. To get Countdown New Brighton cleaned up, re-stocked and re-opened has required exceptional effort and resolve from our team,” he said.

“We are grateful to our team members across all 15 stores and 3 distribution centres in the Christchurch area,” Mr Chambers added.

Two weeks on from the Earthquake, Mr Chambers said eleven of Countdown’s 15 stores in the Christchurch area are open. Four Countdown stores remain closed, of which three have suffered significant damage.

“We will not be opening stores until it is safe to do so and we are working with engineers and construction experts on a programme of work to restore services across these stores,” he said.

“Our Countdown Colombo Street store suffered from a fire but it is structurally sound and we are working hard to rectify the fire damage with the store possibly re-opening in mid-April,” he added.

Mr Chambers said that Countdown’s supply chain is now back in full operation with regular deliveries to stores across Christchurch and the South Island.

“Some products such as bread, water and sanitizer continue to experience high demand but we are receiving additional stock across all our stores in the Christchurch area,” he said.

Mr Chambers said Progressive Enterprises’ franchise operations had also been affected by the earthquake and the team at SuperValue Woolston put in a great effort to open its doors to customers today. Eight out of the ten SuperValue & Fresh Choice stores are open. SuperValue Edgeware closed again on Thursday 3 March for additional maintenance following the earthquake.

Countdown has been collecting donations for the Salvation Army Canterbury Earthquake Appeal in all Countdown, Woolworths, Foodtown, SuperValue & FreshChoice stores nationwide. Over $380,000 has been donated by customers and employees so far. Customers can contribute donations at our stores throughout New Zealand.

In addition, Woolworths Limited in Australia is also accepting donations through all Woolworths supermarkets and Dick Smith stores with over $NZ500,000 raised as of last week.

Information on store openings will continue to be provided on the Countdown website at www.countdown.co.nz and our facebook page at www.facebook.com/countdown.

COUNTDOWN STORE STATUS

Open:

1. Countdown Avonhead 2. Countdown Kaiapoi 3. Countdown Northwood 4. Countdown Hornby 5. Countdown Rangiora 6. Countdown Ashburton 7. Countdown Church Corner 8. Countdown Northlands 9. Countdown Bush Inn

10. Countdown Moorhouse 11. Countdown New Brighton

Closed:

1. Countdown Colombo Street 2. Countdown Eastgate 3. Countdown Ferrymead 4. Countdown The Palms

Online shopping services in the Christchurch area remain suspended.

SUPERVALUE & FRESHCHOICE STORE STATUS

The franchise operations of Progressive Enterprises have also been disrupted by the earthquake.

Open:

1. SuperValue Lincoln Road 2. FreshChoice Barrington 3. FreshChoice Merivale 4. SuperValue Wairakei 5. SuperValue Fendalton 6. FreshChoice Parklands 7. SuperValue Sumner 8. SuperValue Woolston
Closed:

1. SuperValue Stanmore Road 2. SuperValue Edgeware

ENDS

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