Westfield shopping centres extend closing hours

Date: Monday 7 November, 2005
News release

Westfield shopping centres extend closing hours

Leading shopping centre operator Westfield New Zealand is adjusting its opening hours in response to consumer demand for later closing times.

Westfield operates 11 centres in four regions and retailers in its centres will now remain open until 6pm on non-traditional late nights except for Sundays.

Three Westfield Auckland centres at St Lukes, Manukau City and Glenfield that previously opened at 9am on Sundays will now open an hour later, standardising a 10am opening time throughout the country. Centres will now close at 5.30pm on Sundays.

Statutory holiday hours in Westfield centres remain 10am to 5pm nation-wide. The changes take effect from January 3, 2006.

Westfield New Zealand General Manager of Leasing and Shopping Centre Management Clive Mackenzie says the adjustments result from several months’ research and consultation.

“We were able to poll many of our retailers and we sought feedback from customers as well as reviewing customer counts.

“Six out of 10 retailers surveyed want to trade after 5.30pm and three quarters of customers want to see the centres trade after 5.30pm.

Mr Mackenzie says Westfield Riccarton in Christchurch has traded to 6.00pm for some time and its hours have been well supported by shoppers and retailers.

Westfield New Zealand has centres in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.

ENDS

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