However, preparations at the new supermarket, in Andersons Bay Rd, are nearly complete, and the doors will open to the public on Thursday.
Store manager Paul Wallace said "we can't wait to get the place open".
"We've spent a lot of hours cleaning - it's got to be perfect. You don't get to open a new store very often," he said.
Work on the $10 million, 2750sq m supermarket started in about September, and its 115 full and part-time staff moved in to work on "grocery detail" in May.
The store attracted about 1400 "really good" applicants.
Of those selected, about 95 were new and many were from the South Dunedin area.
The fifth Countdown store in Dunedin is the first to feature the chain's new design hallmarks.
The supermarket offers an in-store bakery, service deli, seafood department, walk-in beer chiller and large produce and fresh food sections.
Energy saving was also a priority. "Coffin freezers" with slide-back covers have been chosen, and blinds have been installed to slide over fresh produce fridges and trap cold air at night.
The store also paid homage to its neighbour, the Dunedin Gasworks Museum.
A full-length glass window overlooked the gasworks, while an external wall, illuminated in LED lights, featured some important dates in the history of the site.
The Countdown Andersons Bay supermarket, near Musselburgh Rise, would remain open, Mr Wallace said.
Countdown Dunedin South
• Fifth Countdown store in Dunedin.
• $10 million project.
• 2750sq m.
• 115 staff.
• 150 car parks.
• 19 checkouts
• 22,100 products.
• Open to customers 9am on Thursday.
