Countdown (supermarket)

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Countdown
Image:Countdown_Logo.gif
Subsidiary Information
Founded 1981
Headquarters Auckland, New Zealand
Progressive Enterprises Division
For other meanings of the term countdown, see Countdown (disambiguation)

Countdown is a New Zealand discount supermarket chain owned by Progressive Enterprises.

Countdown stores are normally larger than average, and are focused on delivering low prices to the regions in which they are located. Countdown was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Auckland

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] 1981 - 1992 Countdown Foodmarkets - Rattrays

In May 1981, the first Countdown market opened in Northlands, Christchurch. This business was established by Rattrays Wholesale and gained momentum through this decade. The Rattrays Wholesale Group included the Rattrays Cash and Carry warehouses, tobacco vans, now known as the Red Arrow Distributors fleet and also included the SuperValue group of franchised supermarkets and now operating as SuperValue/FreshChoice.

In 1992 Foodland Associated Limited (FAL) Australia, purchased the Countdown/Rattrays business. This acquisition was then followed by gaining a majority share holding in Progressive Enterprised Limited, including General Distributors Limited, trading as the Foodtown.

[edit] 1993 - 2005 Progressive Enterprises - Foodland Associated Limited (FAL)

In October 1993 Foodland Associated Limited (FAL) brought the majority shareholding in Progressive Enterprises from Coles Myer and shortly after brought all remaining public shares and delisted Progressive from the New Zealand stock exchange. With this purchase Progressive Enterprises became the parent company for a number of FAL brands. Progressive Enterprises consisted of: Foodtown Supermarkets, Countdown, 3 Guys, Georgie Pie Restaurants, Rattrays and Supervalue.

On June 17, 2002 Progressive Enterprises Ltd bought Woolworths (NZ) Ltd from Hong Kong based owners Dairy Farm Group. The sale saw Progressive's supermarket brands Foodtown, Countdown, 3 Guys, SuperValue and FreshChoice joined by Woolworths, Big Fresh and Price Chopper. As a result PEL increased it's share of the NZ grocery market to approximately 45%.

During the period of 1993 - 2005 Countdown evolved from a Foodmarket type format offering mainly groceries to a Full Service Discount Supermarket. The stores vary in size due to the consolidation of brands after the merger with Woolworths (NZ) Ltd. Many Big Fresh, Price Chopper and 3 Guys stores were rebranded to Coundown stores during after this merger.

[edit] 2005 - present Progressive Enterprises - Woolworths Limited

On November 24, 2005 Australian company Woolworths Limited purchased Progressive Enterprises Limited from Foodland Associated Limited.

In October 2006, Progressive Enterprises announced a Discount Fuel Scheme with Gull Petroleum and Shell to offer discounts on petrol when shoppers spend $40 or more in their Woolworths, Foodtown or Countdown Stores. This scheme is similar to the one their Parent company Woolworths Limited offers in Australia.

[edit] Operations

There are currently 56 Countdown supermarkets all operating throughout New Zealand.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links