Harvey Norman opens in Queenstown's Remarkables Park Town Centre

Retail giant Harvey Norman opened its doors at Queenstown’s Remarkables Park Town Centre today (Monday October 17), another major anchor tenant for the growing retail hub.
 
The 1,823m² tenancy within the former Mitre 10 premises (owned by a group of investors represented by Mitchell Mackersy Lawyers and managed by MHP Ltd) is now home to a computer and electrical store stocking the very latest speciality product ranges, some of them exclusive to Queenstown.
 
It’s run by joint proprietors Scott Sales and Tommy Tong, who between them have 16 years’ experience within Harvey Norman in Australia and around New Zealand.
 

They said the level of interest and anticipation of the store opening had been “huge” and were thrilled to be opening in Queenstown.
 
“I came to New Zealand last year and worked in other locations because I wanted to be close to Queenstown. For me to be in Queenstown now, doing what I love, makes total sense,” said Scott, 37, originally from North Queensland. Scott will run the Computers & Communications department.
 
Tommy, 28, who will run the store’s Electrical Department, has worked for Harvey Norman for four years, previously in Auckland and Palmerston North.
 
Tommy and Scott agreed, “we’re delighted to be bringing Harvey Norman’s high levels of customer service to Queenstown. Customers trust us and know exactly what they’re getting, meaning they can shop with confidence. That comes through in how we train our staff.”
 
The new store employs around 30 staff, many of which are locals. It stocks the whole core range of electrical and computer products in addition to some more niche ranges to meet the higher end of the market. A highlight is a full working kitchen featuring every brand the store stocks, and there’s a commercial division for more bespoke fitouts.
 
Some of the specialty product ranges featured in the store include multi-room streaming audio systems, Smart and ultra-high definition TVs, induction cooktops, pyrolytic self-cleaning ovens
PCs, smartphones and many others.
 
Harvey Norman’s presence is anticipated to bring even more shoppers into Remarkables Park Town Centre’s prime position on one of the busiest corners, opposite the highly popular New World supermarket. The power of the Remarkables Park Town Centre brand, combined with Harvey Norman’s enormous appeal, creates an appealing proposition for businesses in the market looking to lease adjoining retail space in Queenstown.
 
There are currently two north-facing tenancies remaining for lease on the north corner of the redeveloped building, each with plenty of store-front parking, and Ma Boulangerie Ltd (bakery) is anticipated to open prior to Christmas.
 
“This is a very strategic position for any business wanting to be part of the Remarkables Park Town Centre, and we predict these high profile tenancies will be snapped up now Harvey Norman has opened its doors,” said Tim Thomas, Commercial Agent at Colliers Queenstown.
 
“There’s been a significant increase in retail uses across eastern Queenstown during the past year, with hundreds of new jobs expected to be created as a result of expansion. The two remaining tenancies here are a great opportunity to be part of an already established Town Centre surrounded by new developments such as the Ramada Hotel and Wakatipu High School opening in 2018. The Eastern Arterial Road, which will open in 2017, will link Hawthorne Drive first to Glenda Drive and then to State Highway 6 north,” said Tim.
 
Remarkables Park Ltd Chief Executive Alastair Porter said the 150ha Remarkables Park master planned resort and Town Centre development is estimated to currently attract in excess of 3.5m visitors each year.
 
“It’s Queenstown’s largest centre outside the CBD and its zoning means it will always be the largest town centre on the Frankton Flats, so it’s a logical place to find Harvey Norman, one of New Zealand’s most exceptional brand names. We’re confident the wider Queenstown Lakes community will be delighted to have local access to the quality merchandise they bring to Queenstown.”