New Zealand’s largest Retail Store doubles in size
Venkat Raman
Auckland, August 29, 2020
Nido, which has become an icon in the consumer market of New Zealand, is set to launch its second phase of expansion on Monday, August 31, 2020 as Auckland moves out of Lockdown Level 3.
In essence, the largest retailer in the country, will add to its own superlative in size, scope and content with the second level.
Chief Executive Vinod Kumar said that the new floor will comprise furniture and homeware store.
The opening of the new level is expected to create more than 100 new jobs in the retail sector.
He said that he and his managers made a conscious decision to open the next level of the store on a weekday to give customers the chance to come in and browse ahead of the busier weekends.
Unique experience
“The new 1200 Sq meter floor will carry more of Nido’s 8500 product lines including a wide range of larger furniture items such as couches, dining suites and beds. This will be another unique retail experience for our New Zealand customers,” Mr Kumar said.
The new facility will also incorporate 340 seats ‘Perch Café,’ offering a wide range of affordable meals for customers and residents of West Auckland.
The first level, which opened to business with the inauguration of Nido on May 30, 2020, features more than 100 showrooms, created by the Company’s designers.
Latest interior styles
“While these showcase the latest interior styles from around the world, a full-size Showhome has been built on the first floor. It will incorporate fittings to effectively demonstrate how our extensive range of products will look inside a home,” Mr Kumar said.
The largest retail store in the country stocks products sourced from more than 20 countries including those in Europe and Asia, in addition to United States of America and New Zealand.
Mr Kumar said that since its opening, Nido has been attracting on an average 3000 visitors every day, and as such, the opening of the new facility is expected to double the clientele.
Confidence in New Zealand
With an initial investment of $60 million Nido not only represents the dream of Mr Kumar but also demonstrates his confidence in the New Zealand economy.
This large enterprise bucks the trend of businesses complaining of downtrend orchestrated by Covid-19 and of entrepreneurs who have pulled back their investments since the first quarter.
But Mr Kumar has faced more than his share of challenges, not the least of which is to ensure the smooth flow of various resources into the Project.
Located in West Auckland, close to the Motorways, the new Store occupies 27,000 sq metres of land and floor area and carries more than 10,000 product lines, arguably the most extensive retail store in New Zealand.
Nido is 100% New Zealand-owned company and will create 180 new jobs.
With its extensive range of solutions for various industries, businesses and homes, the advent of Nido will be a major boost to Auckland’s economy and the country’s employment sector.
“We will eventually offer online shopping functionality through our website and provide nationwide distribution for our products shortly, Mr Kumar said.
He said that apart from substantial financial investment, Nido has taken in nine years of research into the most innovative retail models considered in various parts of the world.
About Vinod Kumar
Born in Fiji, Vinod Kumar graduated in Civil Engineering from the University of Auckland in 1975 and launched his career at Fletcher Construction. After becoming a Permanent Resident in 1987, he brought his family from Fiji and built his first family home in Blockhouse Bay, Auckland. Despite the recession in 1989, he established his first retail business with Mitre 10 in Henderson. The venture expanded rapidly, and he continued to invest in the business.
Mr Kumar won in several categories of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards, including the ‘Supreme Business of the Year Award’ in its launch year in 2008 and again in 2013. At each of the acceptance speeches, he advocated for better facilitation of investors and businesspersons, asking the government of the day and commercial banks for appropriate policies and incentives.
He was also voted twice ‘New Zealand Retailer of the Year.’
