"It's all for the kids!"

The smiles couldn't have been wider at 10 dedicated children's hospitals and wards right throughout New Zealand as the Fresh Future Children's Hospital Appeal donated almost $900,000 to them.

The total amounts received by the hospitals were:

"We've raised over $900,000 this appeal, and that's after GST has been paid! Over 98% of this money goes straight to these 10 dedicated children's hospitals and wards across New Zealand. This is an incredible result, considering the recession. And it's all for the kids!" says Ruth Krippner, Chairperson, Fresh Future Appeal Committee.

The appeal has raised a total of $3 million since 2007.

Kidz First, home of the National Burns Centre, received the largest contribution because it serves the whole country. Amounts given to other hospitals were determined by their need.

Funds were raised through the efforts of the 19,000 staff at Countdown, Woolworths, Foodtown, Fresh Choice, SuperValue, support offices and Dick Smith, in addition to the DHBs themselves. Fundraising activities included head and leg shaves, sausage sizzles, raffles, face-painting, golf days, movie screenings, "splashes", and more.

"Literally, thousands of our staff and those at DHBs, and hundreds of thousands of our customers, contributed to this success. This is really local fundraising at its best, and we're delighted to be able to support kids in hospital, their families and our amazing medical professionals," said Peter Smith, Managing Director of Progressive Enterprises.

At Countdown, we are committed to helping customers shop smarter. That's why the new Countdown brand stands for fresher food, bright open stores, an incredible range of up to 30,000 items and, importantly, all this is delivered to the customer at Countdown prices!

The plans to move all Progressive Enterprises supermarkets to one brand - Countdown - was recently announced by Progressive. Peter Smith, Managing Director says the new stylized logo, which has been likened to fresh produce, "speaks of an absolute commitment to fresh food, to new growth and a new beginning, and that's perfectly suited for our business in New Zealand."

"We have had enormous success with our 'new generation' 2010 design Countdowns in Auckland. Customers have been over the moon with them. Our research clearly showed that customers want what Countdown has to offer, hence this change," says Peter Smith.

Countdown Ashburton - Store Design

Countdown offers customers value every time they shop with exclusive brands such as Home Brand, Signature Range and Select by Signature Range, Onecard (with bigger savings and better Rewards) plus a 200% guarantee on all fresh products.

For more on Progressive's investment into New Zealand over the next 5 years, click here.

Warkworth shoppers can look forward to a new supermarket on Neville Street.

Countdown New Warkworth - Store Design

Progressive Enterprises will soon reactivate a resource consent to build a new generation Countdown on the site, bringing competition and greater choice while strengthening the town centre's economy.

The store could be open by the end of 2010.

"Shoppers in Warkworth want greater competition and choice, and we aim to provide just that," said Adrian Walker, Progressive's General Manager Property. "Customers across New Zealand love our new generation Countdowns - they love the wide open design, the incredible range of up to 30,000 lines, and Countdown value for money. And they love the fact that approximately 25% of the stores are dedicated to quality Fresh food, including bakery, deli, meat, seafood and fruit and vegetables."

The store was designed to be empathetic with the Warkworth town centre. It will provide under croft parking, include additional specialty retail shops, and enhance pedestrian traffic by "connecting" the supermarket and town centre.

The company will be holding a community forum in the next few weeks to allow Warkworth residents the opportunity to view the working drawings of the new store and store layout.

Progressive Enterprises and parent company Woolworths Limited announced in February plans to invest potentially up to $1 billion in New Zealand over the next five years, opening three to five new supermarkets and refurbishing 18-20 supermarkets annually. This investment will allow Progressive to bring competition to Warkworth.

Progressive's local investment will add 160 permanent jobs to the Warkworth economy, and increase Progressive's total staff numbers to almost 19,000.