6 | 2022 Grand Business South Awards: Mitre 10 Mega Wanaka Russell Fredric Wanaka store scoops retail award Mitre 10 Mega Wanaka received the Excellence in Retail award at the 2022 Grand Business South awards. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Mitre 10 Mega Wanaka general manager Mark Watson is extremely proud of the 130 staff who made a huge contribution to the business being recognised in the 2022 Grand Business South awards. Mitre 10 Mega Wanaka received the Excellence in Retail award at a gala dinner held in Dunedin on November 18. The awards are held biennially to celebrate business excellence and recognise innovation, creativity and success in the southern business sector. “Through incredibly busy times and through covid and everything else, it is the people that make the business,” Mark says. “We are very lucky we have good team members that are passionate about their community and passionate about their roles within the community and I think that shows in the customer experience of people who come through our doors. We are very proud of our team.” The award application process is very thorough and covered every aspect of the business’ operation. Because the business is “customer obsessed” and this success hinges on the staff, the investment in staff training and ensuring a high level of product knowledge is immense, Mark says. Like other Mitre 10 businesses around New Zealand, Mitre 10 Mega Wanaka is Kiwi owned and deeply rooted in the community. “Being part of the community is one of our strengths, in being both locally owned and invested in servicing and making the community stronger.” The existing store was completed late 2020 and significantly increased the footprint over the previous one. Planning the new 15,000 square metre site and building provided the opportunity to carefully consider its makeup in terms of where the spaces would be best allocated, and with significant areas dedicated to trade and garden, is a close reflection of both the economy and culture of the community. Among several strategic pillars was the desire to create a destination store that engenders interaction with people and products Consequently, the store features hubs where people can have hands-on learning experiences with products or for design ideas, while the inclusion of a café provides gathering place in a relaxing atmosphere, “rather than it being just a shopping experience”. “That was very much a strategy, to be a place of knowledge and education, to have our team supported and developed, but also to show the products in a way that inspires people to put in onto their homes and to live better and healthier.” The planning and investment have paid off and Mitre 10 Wanaka has been very fortunate through the covid pandemic as, despite supply chain issues, people spent on their homes and gardens instead of overseas travel. “Part of the way to manage the supply chain was to make sure we had good stock and the ability to grow and employ staff has been a little bit tricky. Overall though, it has been a very positive year.” Like most businesses, Mitre 10 has developed a strong sustainability focus. In 2020 the company formalised a programme to reduce its carbon footprint, focused on the use of energy, recycling, education and, through the introduction of a framework, Product Packaging Guidelines, to reduce unnecessary packaging from products. “Being part of the community is one of our strengths, in being both locally owned and invested in servicing and making the community stronger.” Mobile: 027 244 3931 3RD, Cromwell Ph: (03) 443 8756 Trusses - Posi Struts - Wall Frames - Flitch Beams Domestic and Commercial Endless possibilities. 0800 224 759 / sales@bbi.net.nz www.bbi.net.nz Plywood + Decking Solutions – bbi supply quality plywood and hardwood decking solutions to the New Zealand market including: bbi PlyBrace™ / RedLine® BlondeLine® / QuikDeck®
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