Woolworths plans to invest more than $650 million in new stores and infrastructure in Victoria over the next three years.
Woolworths plan to open at least 20 new stores and refurbish 40 existing stores in Victoria over the next three years, investing around $150 million, adding to the 582 stores the supermarket chain currently has in Victoria.
To support this growth, Woolworths is investing in $500 million of new infrastructure. This includes a new meat processing facility in Laverton, which is soon to open, and new distribution centre to be built in south east Melbourne which will open in 2018.
Pat McEntee, director of supermarket operations, said; “These investments in new infrastructure will help us to deliver lower prices and a better offer to our customers.
“The new $150 million meat processing facility will improve our fresh meat offering throughout all our stores in Victoria. Our customers can expect to see more consistent, better quality meat, enhanced availability on our shelves as well as new and seasonal ranges following this transition.
“This change to our fresh meat supply will also see changes in our stores in coming weeks. We will be building more butcher shops and our qualified butchers will be on hand to cut meat specifically to suit the customers’ preference and give advice on preparation and cooking.
“We also have plans to build a $350 million state of the art grocery distribution centre in south-east Melbourne, delivering more than 190 new jobs to the area when it opens in 2018.
“This is the largest single investment in Woolworths history and we are confident it will deliver significant efficiency and productivity gains.
The facility will eventually replace Woolworths’ existing distribution centre in Hume, Victoria.
“Both investments will require us to make changes to our existing network. As Woolworths changes some existing roles will be discontinued and we will ensure where possible our staff have access to new opportunities,” McEntee said.
