Super Retail Group has reached 800 stores after opening Rebel, Macpac, BCF and Supercheap Auto sites side by side at a new $90 million retail precinct in Melbourne’s south-east.
The four stores opened over the weekend at Fountain Gate Central in Narre Warren, a 14,100 square-metre large format development by BWP Group on the site of a former 11,000 square metre Bunnings warehouse. Super Retail Group’s stores take up three-quarters of the floor space.
It is the first time the group has opened all four of its brands together, and the first time it has opened four stores on the same day.
Managing director Paul Bradshaw said the Victorian investment follows the opening of the group’s new national distribution centre at Truganina last year.
“This investment is part of our strategic plan to deliver a strong pipeline of new store openings to meet our customers when and how they want to shop with us,” he said.
The Rebel store features what the group reported is the largest experience zone of any Rebel location in Australia, where customers can trial products before buying. Its multi-purpose court is the second in the country to cater for pickleball, alongside basketball and football.
“Victorians are incredibly passionate about sport and the new Fountain Gate store will bring together an incredible range of the biggest and most popular sports, brands and products in one of our flagship Rebel customer experience store formats,” Rebel managing director Jenny Child said.
The Macpac store is the first in Victoria to roll out the brand’s newest store design, which includes a care and repair station, a footwear terrain trail and a new fixture suite.
“Our journey began over 50 years ago, and it’s incredibly special to have the opportunity to showcase an extended range of quality gear in a space where customers can draw on the knowledge and expertise of our team,” Macpac managing director Reuben Casey said.
The BCF store is the banner’s first Superstore in Victoria and, at more than 3,500 square metres, its largest in the state. Supercheap Auto’s new store has an expanded range, particularly in 4WD products.
Together, the four stores have created almost 70 full-time, part-time and casual retail roles, with more than 170 construction workers and fitout staff involved in the build.
BWP Group managing director Mark Scatena said the redevelopment reused the existing building structure and materials on site to reduce construction waste.