Woolworths name initial 12 locations in war against Bunnings
Woolworths has announced the initial 12 locations for the company’s hardware and home improvement competitor to Bunnings Warehouse.
Initially the roll out would be across Victoria, with Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden saying the state government would expedite the planning approval for the sites, at Coolaroo, Burnside, Preston, Hawthorn East, Oakleigh South, South Morang, Mornington, Wendouree, Geelong, Bendigo, Knoxfield and Carrum Downs.
In addition to the 12 locations in the initial roll out Woolworths is looking at other sites across regional Victoria for 18 further stores to be operational in the next five years.
Don Stallings, CEO of the Woolworths and Lowe’s home improvement joint venture, said the approvals were vital in ensuring the new joint venture achieved scale in operations quickly to secure its future.
“Building a new destination home improvement offer from scratch is a challenging business venture, especially in a retail sector with just one existing dominant player,” Starlings said.
“Our plans require our business to get up to speed as quickly as possible to ensure we can deliver a new and competitive offer to the consumer.”
Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden said the state government would also fast-track planning approval for five new sites to be developed by German discount chain Aldi, at North Balwyn, Rye, Drysdale, Highton and Geelong West.
Please, please, Woolworth’s/Lowe’s, try to accelerate the roll out. Come to Joondalup WA, it will be a walkover competing with Bunnings here – a lousy site for access and parking, sloping paving in the outdoor area makling customers fight their to control their loaded trolleys (dangerous for seniors), reticulation that goes on and on without concern for shoppers wanting to buy plants in the middle of it, then there is the checkout experience, aka the ‘Stepford Wives and daughters’ non-dialogue… Having shopped in Lowe’s in the USA, can’t wait to see the shakeup.
How much of the action do Woolworths want to control, they have stuck their nose into every sector of the retail business and systematically driven the small businesses out of the market yet moan when another business so much as hints at introducing a product line that they deal with, Groceries, fuel outlets, bottle shops and the list goes on, now it is hardware. The small hardware stores are a dying breed just trying to compete with Bunnings so how will they have a chance with 2 monster chains. The consumers need to be mindful that when there are only limited options those options can do what they like.
I was intrigued when i found out you were preparing a site next door to Bunnings in Minchinbury, NSW.
If your company has any use for an ex builder (holder of the 1983 top MBA Design and Building Award) and ex Industrial Arts Teacher, I would be very much ninterested.
I am contactable at 0427005422 or 02-98645439.
Respectfully,
Richard Kameny
hi don stalling i live in wyndham vale west of melbourne.could you fill me in are you opening a store in hoppers crossing in the old kmart warehouse @ all.cheers