News and media releases

Customers in 19 Countdown stores across Aotearoa will be adjusting to a life with less plastic today, as a pilot to remove single-use plastic produce bags begins. The 19 stores join the Metro Herne Bay store, which opened without the bags in late June. 

Kiwis are giving the middle finger to finger food in favour of using cutlery, a new national survey has found.

Countdown’s dedication to delivering freshness, from the farm to fork, will know no bounds with the supermarket today announcing its new, $150 million Auckland Fresh Distribution Centre (AFDC) is now officially open for business.

It’s the beginning of the end for single-use plastic produce bags, with Countdown today announcing a pilot to remove them in a further 19 stores from 25 July, joining the Metro Herne Bay store which opened without single-use plastic produce bags last month.

Herne Bay locals now have a fresh, new grocery shopping destination on their doorstep, with the opening of Countdown’s fourth Metro store on the corner of Kelmarna Ave and Jervois Road earlier today. 

Woolworths NZ is starting work on opening up wholesale grocery supply, with other retailers or organisations who might be interested in buying from them encouraged to register their information online.

To be attributed to Spencer Sonn, Managing Director, Woolworths New Zealand

Balclutha residents will spoilt for supermarket choice, with the new, state-of-the-art Countdown Balclutha opening today, after 12 months of construction. The $18 million dollar development has also created over 80 new jobs for the community and is the first Countdown for the area.

Countdown is putting its annual call out for innovative, climate change focussed projects as it launches its fourth year of Growing for Good grants. The funding is centred on the biggest crises facing the planet, and this year applications are open to secondary schools for the first time ever.

Countdown has issued a recall for two batches of Woolworths Choc Berry Mix 400g due to the presence of milk, which was not included in the on-pack ingredients list.