Wānaka’s Dunmore Street New World has been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the owners are planning to cut 29 jobs.

Wanaka New World and New World Three Parks collectively employ 280 people.

Foodstuffs South Island retail general manager Tim Donaldson told the Wanaka App the Dunmore Street New World’s customer base has traditionally been a mix of international and domestic tourists, local residents and the business community. 

“Like many businesses in New Zealand, the shutting down of international borders, has had a significant impact on the number of customers shopping at the store,” Tim said.

“Due to the reduction in customers at New World Wanaka, the store predicts a significant reduction in turnover for the foreseeable future, which means the owners have been left with no option but to reassess staff numbers and the other costs associated with running the store.”

Tim said staff at New World Wanaka have been working reduced hours for “some weeks”, while remaining on full pay, a commitment the owners have tried to maintain for as long as possible.

The owners, Justin and Jocelyn Purcell, are currently going through a process to reduce the number of roles at the store from 134 to 105, Tim said.

“Full time staff hours, which have traditionally been at 42 ½ hours per week, are proposed to be 40 hours per week, which has the positive benefit of allowing the store to keep an additional six staff members employed,” Tim said.

“It’s been a very tough decision to make, the team at New World Wanaka does a great job and the owners are doing all they can to support them, however, the business believes this is the right decision to enable New World Wanaka to be sustainable and continue to provide employment in the future.”

During the lockdown staff at both supermarkets ensured customers, especially those who are older or medically vulnerable, had safe access to groceries.

Tim said over the past few months the staff at both supermarkets have been focussed on making sure customers, especially those who are older or medically vulnerable, have access to groceries and kept safe.

“The teams have done a fantastic job,” he said.

Now the country is at alert level one, the in-store experience is back to normal, Tim said.

Bag packers are back and customers can be served by team members at the deli, butchery, bakery and seafood counters.

“There are a couple of exceptions, we’re continuing with the increased hygiene protocols and plastic screens at checkout for the time being,” Tim said.

Both New Worlds are optimistic about the future now the ski season and school holidays are just around the corner, and the new roundabout has opened providing easy access to New World Three Parks, he said.

PHOTOS: Supplied