Woolworths has announced the initial 12 locations for the company’s hardware and home improvement competitor to Bunnings Warehouse.
Initially the roll out would be across Victoria, with Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden saying the state government would expedite the planning approval for the sites, at Coolaroo, Burnside, Preston, Hawthorn East, Oakleigh South, South Morang, Mornington, Wendouree, Geelong, Bendigo, Knoxfield and Carrum Downs.
In addition to the 12 locations in the initial roll out Woolworths is looking at other sites across regional Victoria for 18 further stores to be operational in the next five years.
Don Stallings, CEO of the Woolworths and Lowe’s home improvement joint venture, said the approvals were vital in ensuring the new joint venture achieved scale in operations quickly to secure its future.
“Building a new destination home improvement offer from scratch is a challenging business venture, especially in a retail sector with just one existing dominant player,” Starlings said.
“Our plans require our business to get up to speed as quickly as possible to ensure we can deliver a new and competitive offer to the consumer.”
Victorian Planning Minister Justin Madden said the state government would also fast-track planning approval for five new sites to be developed by German discount chain Aldi, at North Balwyn, Rye, Drysdale, Highton and Geelong West.
