Palmers to open popular Planet store in Westgate centre

October 31, 2014

Palmers to open popular Planet store in newly developed Westgate centre

This summer, those living near the expansive new Westgate shopping precinct in West Auckland will join the residents of Albany and Hamilton in being able to enjoy the wonder, convenience and practicality of a Palmers Planet store.

Based on the extremely popular garden centres of Europe, Palmers Planet stores are completely different from traditional garden centres. They feature virtually everything a family needs for their home in one modern, attractive and welcoming space.

Palmers Planet Westgate, which opens on December 4, will be a key tenant of the new $1 billion Westgate shopping precinct. It will be the third Palmers Planet in New Zealand; the other two are in Greville Rd, Albany and in the new Rototuna development in Hamilton.

“The residents of those areas are just loving having a Palmers Planet in their neighbourhoods,” says Palmers marketing manager, Janalle McMeekin. “With a licensed café, bright open spaces and a huge range of products for the home and garden, the Palmers Planet stores have become real social centres for their communities.

“Thanks to their great ambience, complementary WiFi and children’s playgrounds, they have also become favoured places to share a coffee or a drink with friends, enjoy a long, leisurely lunch or catch up for a business meeting.”

Run by franchisee owners Mark and Melissa McLean, Palmers Planet Westgate will boast the largest retail area of any garden centre in New Zealand. The store will feature 2000 square metres of garden centre (most of it under cover) and a further 2000 square metres of retail space. There will also be a 150-seat Botannix licensed café and parking for more than 200 vehicles right at the front door.

The McLeans say they are excited to be playing an integral part in such a massive, billion-dollar development.

“It is also great coming to Westgate with a new Palmers Planet store,” they say.

“Palmers have taken an iconic New Zealand brand and revitalised it in a truly spectacular fashion. When people first come to Palmers Planet Westgate they will be in for a very pleasant surprise.

“As well as the traditional garden centre products (decorative and edible plants, fertilisers, garden implements and the like), customers will also be able to purchase spa pools, barbecues and a wide range of outdoor furniture, gifts, books, magazines and home décor products.

“Add in a dry delicatessen and a professional florist and we will have virtually everything a family needs for their home.”

The new Palmers Planet Westgate will also host regular tastings and demonstrations to enable customers to experience new foods and learn how to grow and prepare them.

“We will have an organic vegetable garden so customers can touch, smell and taste our large variety of organically-grown vegetables and herbs. And we will cater to both experienced and novice gardeners, with knowledgeable staff happy to offer practical advice and share their expertise.”

Like its two predecessors, the new Palmers Planet Westgate will be an instantly recognisable landmark, thanks to its award-winning, architecturally designed building.

Strikingly innovative and full of natural light and welcoming spaces, the Palmers Planet stores have already won two top retail design awards: an Overall Best Retail Design award and a Best Retail Design award at the New Zealand Retail Interior Association’s prestigious Red Awards.

Following its grand opening on December 4, the store will be open 7 days a week from 8.30am to 5.30pm, with a late night on Thursday.

ENDS

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