Mitre 10 opens new store in Westgate development

For immediate release

20 October 2014

Mitre 10 opens new store in Westgate development

Mitre 10 is expanding in Auckland’s new Westgate development, with its latest Mitre 10 MEGA store due to open Friday morning in time for the Labour Weekend retail rush.

The store is co-owned by experienced retailers and Auckland locals Dave and Elaine Hargreaves in conjunction with brothers Stephen and Graeme Ricketts. The Ricketts family also own the Mitre 10 MEGA Hastings and Napier stores and have been part of the Mitre 10 group since 1975, while Mr Hargreaves joined the company two years ago as an operations manager at the national support centre. The Hargreaves will oversee the day-to-day management of the store.

With more than 30 years’ experience in retail for blue chip New Zealand brands, Mr Hargreaves is excited about the new opportunities the Westgate development affords retailers and consumers alike.

“It’s an exciting new opportunity for the whole area, and Mitre 10 is the first cab off the rank within the retail development,” Mr Hargreaves said. “West Auckland is growing rapidly, and the new, bigger Mitre 10 MEGA will be well positioned to service the DIY and trade needs of the many new West Aucklanders as well as those who have called the area home for many years.

“We’re pleased to be doing our bit for the local economy, with more than 80 local people employed in the new Mitre 10, including 22 people who came across from the previous Mitre 10 Westgate store. Mitre 10 has been part of New Zealand’s DIY culture since 1974 and is proudly New Zealand-owned and operated.”

Mitre 10 CEO Neil Cowie said he was looking forward to the store opening.

“The Ricketts family have a long history with Mitre 10 and the Hargreaves have a huge amount of retail experience,” Mr Cowie said. “We’re looking forward to watching the success of our newest store in the network – and I’m sure the Westgate locals are too. Our stores are always closely involved in their communities, and Westgate will be no exception.”

Mitre 10 MEGA Westgate is the 38th Mitre 10 MEGA store to open, it will be fully equipped to service the region’s trade professionals as well as its retail offering. It will also have the biggest garden centre in the area as well as a Columbus Coffee, drive thru for trade customers, 240 car parks and a children’s playground.

This year Mitre 10 also opened new Mitre 10 MEGA stores in Taupo, New Lynn and Porirua, and is aiming to add another three stores to its network in the coming year.

The 56-hectare Westgate development is managed by New Zealand Retail Property Group and includes commercial, street-based retail, entertainment, dining and office spaces. It features a $6 million town square, a $15 million library and six hectares of public open space including parks and walkways. It is estimated to create an extra 8,500 jobs.

About Mitre
Mitre 10 is a New Zealand co-operative with 81 locally owned and operated stores nationwide that employ close to 5,000 team members combined. It is the country’s largest home improvement and garden retailer and one of the fastest-growing trade merchants. Mitre 10 has been a household name since 1974 and has been voted the most trusted home improvement retail brand in New Zealand five times.

ENDS

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