Kmart press release
Australia’s favourite retailer will officially open its doors to the Ryde community on Thursday 16 June 2016 from 8am. The 5,500 m2 store showcases Kmart’s new layout that is being rolled out nationally and commitment to an improved shopping experience for customers, from irresistibly low priced products through to brightly lit, easy to shop product worlds.
Kmart Top Ryde will be part of the expanded Top Ryde City Shopping Centre, anchoring the next phase of the centre’s major redevelopment as a vibrant shopping and social destination. Top Ryde City Centre Manager, Peter Reece said the introduction of Kmart is about providing a great offer for families in Sydney’s north.
“Kmart marks the start of an exciting new era for Top Ryde City and we’re absolutely thrilled to have them open in the centre this June. This is the only Kmart store within ten kilometres and the feedback from customers has been fantastic – they can’t wait!” Peter said.
The innovative new store layout is centred around three product worlds, home, clothing and kids. Each world has its own distinct look and feel, created through navigational signage, visual merchandising (VM), packaging, signage and graphics, and of course new product offers. The home world has warm, earthy tones and wooden shelves; the kid’s world has bright colours and graphics and apparel features bold multicolour panels. Other noticeable updates include wider aisles, central manned and self-served checkouts, creating an engaging and inspiring shopping experience. Additionally, store entrances are now free of queues and clutter, providing them to be more inviting and allowing customers to exit with ease.
Kmart Top Ryde store manager Andrew Garzaniti, alongside his management team have employed more than 100 locals and 4 internal candidates who reflect Kmart’s values and passion for retail, with many new employees living in the apartments above the retail precinct. The new team have undergone 7 weeks of extensive training in preparation for the store opening, developing skills and knowledge within the product ranges, operations and store setup ahead of open day.
“Training has been intensive to ensure all team members are up to speed with stores practises. It has been an opportunity for myself and my management team to understand each individual skillset and strength in allocating roles,” Andrew Garzaniti said.
Andrew added he is incredibly excited to be a part of this store opening and proud of the remarkable efforts made by everyone to get the store to this point. “I have been with Kmart for over 10 years so I am incredibly grateful to be part of this new chapter and to be working with such a remarkable team– I am very optimistic of the stores success once the doors open!”
Kmart Top Ryde celebration activities will begin from the moment doors open at 8am Thursday 16 June, offering the community free family friendly entertainment and giveaways.