Smaller towns in New Zealand are also important for growth of businesses like their large counterparts, Prime Minister John Key has said.
“Businesses operating in small places not only serve the local community with their products and services but also provide employment opportunities to locals. It is important to recognise their potential and promote them,” he said.
Mr Key was speaking at the official opening of ‘FreshChoice’ Supermarket in Waimauku, about 30 kms to the North of Auckland City on August 15, 2013.
Good potential
“I am happy that our businesses are showing enterprise and spirit of service by establishing their presence in such areas. I am sure that those operating in areas such as Waimauku will utilise the potential available,” he said.
Mr Key said that supermarkets formed an essential destination for people to shop for their daily and weekly needs.
“I have always enjoyed going to supermarkets, not only to shop but also to meet people. It is great to see people in employment, doing their best for the progress of our economy,” he said.
FreshChoice is the rebranded version of ‘SuperValue,’ a supermarket chain of Progressive Enterprises, which owns one of the largest chains in New Zealand. ‘Countdown’ is its most famous and popular brand, which integrated more than two years ago, the erstwhile brands such as ‘Foodtown’ and ‘Woolworths,’
Vipan Garg, a well-known businessman of the Indian community with ownership of several other enterprises, is the owner of FreshChoice in Waimauku, along with his wife Shalu.
Among those present at the opening were National List MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Progressive Enterprises Managing Director Dave Chambers, General Manager (Franchises System) Mark Brosnan, other franchisees of Super Value and FreshChoice, Super Liquor Group Directors and Senior Executives and members of the ASB Community Trust.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Garg said that his brother Dr Sunil Garg (India) and his friends Ashish Choudhri and Uzair Kheradia (UK) had specially flown to New Zealand for the occasion.
Long association
“As a family, we have had a long association with the SuperValue & FreshChoice Group, having owned and operated supermarkets in Te Awamutu and Titirangi. Wholesale Distributors Operations Manager Robert Smith advised us seven years ago that the Group was planning to develop the Waimauku SuperValue. We were excited to make use of the opportunity to bring a brand new supermarket to Waimauku and the surrounding areas,” he said.
Mr Garg said that FreshChoice Waimauku offers a large range of products, a stronger promotional programme and a more competitive shopping experience to customers.
“This is a modern store with the latest technology, accounting for ‘Point of Sale’ system, energy efficiency heating and refrigeration.
He acknowledged the contributions of a number of officials of Progressive Enterprises and Wholesale Distributors, including Tony Hadwin (a Waimauku resident), Mike Higgins, Matthew Hawkes, Gai Thompson, Laureen Burnett, Area Manager Abhay Kolhe and Fresh Food experts David Reesby and Tim Jones.
Photo :
1, John Key speaking at the FreshChoice Waimauku Opening
2. John Key greets Shalu Garg as Vipan Garg and Mark Brosnan look on
