BIG W, a discount department store under the Woolworths group, has inaugurated its latest store in Port Adelaide, Australia, marking an investment of A$4m ($2.5m) in the local community.
Arriving just in time for Christmas, the store offers a streamlined layout and everyday low prices to enhance the customer experience.
The opening marks a significant addition to the local economy by employing approximately 52 team members, with 41 new hires joining BIG W.
BIG W managing director Dan Hake said: "We’re thrilled to join the Port Adelaide community with a store designed to meet the everyday needs of local families.
"Our goal is to offer not only outstanding value but also a family-friendly shopping experience and convenient services like Direct to Boot. This store has been designed with the community in mind, and we’re excited to become a trusted destination in the area.”
The new store was designed with customer preferences in mind, featuring on-trend clothing and home goods, along with an interactive health and beauty department.
This beauty space allows customers to try items before purchasing, catering especially to younger, trend-focused shoppers, particularly as the Australian beauty market continues to expand.
The beauty sector is expected to grow from A$6.3bn in 2022 to A$8.4bn by 2028, making this offering an important part of BIG W’s strategy.
In addition, BIG W Port Adelaide comes with a family-friendly atmosphere featuring designated spaces, including an expansive toy section.
This section offers BIG W’s Somersault range and popular national brands.
Additional amenities such as Big Bulk Buys, a Party Shop with balloon inflation services, and an enhanced fitting room experience aim to make shopping enjoyable and convenient for customers of all ages.
Port Adelaide deputy premier and member Susan Close MP said: "The addition of BIG W to the Port Adelaide Plaza will create local jobs, as well as attract more people to our area.
“The continued growth of the Plaza shopping precinct means that people will shop here in the Port, without having to travel out of the area, helping our local economy, and in line with the government’s various measures that have seen Port Adelaide thriving again.”
Reflecting a commitment to sustainability, BIG W Port Adelaide incorporates energy-efficient LED lighting and uses trolleys and baskets made from recycled milk bottles.
Customers can find the new store within the Port Adelaide Plaza.
In September, Woolworths agreed to offload its remaining 4.1% stake in Endeavour Group, the owner of liquor store chain Dan Murphy’s and BWS bottle shops.
