26 | T T to page 28 Ashton Mitchell - Naylor Love: Mitre MEGA 10 T T Karen Phelps REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The new Mitre 10 MEGA store at The Sands in Papamoa is set to deliver a significantly enhanced customer experience when it opens in late 2026, says Ben Sando, director of Ashton Mitchell Architects. “We’re calling it an evolution of the design not a revolution. The design responds to the unique characteristics of the local community, exploring new concepts to deliver the best possible value and overall experience for customers,” says Ben. “The refreshed store design builds on the strengths of Mitre 10’s established brand while embracing modern retail expectations and sustainable design principles.” Working on a design shift with Foodstuffs many years ago, when it was wanting to modernise store design to improve customer experience, has informed Ben’s approach to the Mitre 10 project. He says that experience helped shape thinking around how large-format retail environments can better serve communities. The Mitre 10 design places strong emphasis on customer flow and the overall retail journey, ensuring that internal spaces feel more intuitive. “It’s looking at things like instore experiences, improving visual flow and connections,” he says. “Enhancements focus on providing a welcoming and modern experience for customers, strengthening connections between product zones and leveraging technology such as click and collect. The design aims to enhance clarity, convenience and the overall in-store experience.” A standout feature is the improved visual connection between spaces such as the carpark, entry, café, and trade areas, as well as a renewed emphasis on the café as a focal point for the local community. “We really looked at the café area and the relationship between this and other parts of the store. By integrating it into the garden centre environment, the café outdoor area will provide a welcoming space for customers to pause, reinforcing the community-focused nature of Mitre 10 stores,” says Ben. Excitement builds for new-look store The design team has prioritised a contemporary industrial aesthetic, combined with buildability and sustainable design features. The building incorporates Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) flooring for reduced environmental impact, contributing to a lighter carbon footprint and improved material efficiency. Rooftop rainwater harvesting further elevates the store’s sustainable performance, with The approximately 10,580sqm store is being constructed by Naylor Love and will bring huge benefits to the local community. Laying The Groundwork For The New Mitre 10 Mega. Peard Excavation is proud to be delivering earthworks on this landmark Bay of Plenty project. GET IN TOUCH Call Toby: 027 309 6463 Email: admin@peard.co.nz Website: www.peard.co.nz Your Construction Cleaning Partner Handover Cleans Repeat Site Office Cleans Free Quotes Fully Insured info@paragoncleaningservices.co.nz 0210386897 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS THORBURN CONSULTANTS (NZ) LTD www.thorburn.co.nz Working with Mitre 10 for over 16 years Thorburns is proud to be the structural engineers for the new Mitre 10 Papamoa store.
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