SuperValue is a

chain A chain is a serial assembly of connected pieces, called links, typically made of metal, with an overall character similar to that of a rope in that it is flexible and curved in compression but linear, rigid, and load-bearing in tension. A ...

of locally owned and operated

supermarket A supermarket is a self-service Retail#Types of outlets, shop offering a wide variety of food, Drink, beverages and Household goods, household products, organized into sections. Strictly speaking, a supermarket is larger and has a wider selecti ...

s in

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

, established in 1964. The stores are operated under franchise agreements, with franchise and group operation controlled by Wholesale Distributors Limited (WDL). There are 38 SuperValue stores around New Zealand, including 6 in Auckland. The franchise is owned and operated by Woolworths New Zealand

History

G.U.S. (Grocers United Stores) was launched as a grocery store co-operative in 1928, and quickly opened 15 stores. Store numbers reached 167 in 1948. The Opawa, Christchurch store became the first store under the SuperValue brand in 1964. SuperValue started out as SuperValu, with no ‘e’, but following an uproar from customers about the spelling that it was quickly changed. The 1964 opening of the first SuperValue store was a turning point when New Zealand started adopting the supermarket concept from overseas. At the time this was different for New Zealand consumers, whose usual style was picking weekly groceries from many outlets. SuperValue Supermarkets was purchased by JR Rattray in 1991. Countdown, SuperValue and Rattray were purchased by Foodland (FAL) in 1993. The brands became subsidiaries of Progressive Enterprises in 1995. In 2008, SuperValue had 39 stores, including seven in Auckland. 13 in 2008 There were 41 SuperValue stores in 2015.

References

{{Supermarkets in New Zealand Supermarkets of New Zealand Woolworths Group (Australia) Retail companies established in 1964 New Zealand companies established in 1964