Queenstown Kmart finally opens

Customers pile into Queenstown's new Kmart store as it opened its doors for the first time this morning. Photo: Joshua Walton

Queenstown's highly anticipated Kmart store has finally opened its doors to customers after weeks of delays and building blunders.

Hundreds of bargain hunters were on site to get their fix from 8am today, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The store, part of the $100 million first stage of the Queenstown Central retail complex on the Frankton Flats, opened two weeks later than planned due to construction delays on site.

Kmart NZ director Jason Picard, who was at the opening this morning, said he was very proud to launch the new store and the ”reaction in Queenstown has been fantastic”.

”We’ve had a great crowd here this morning.”

Kmart New Zealand director Jason Picard at the store opening in Queenstown this morning. Photo: Joshua Walton

First-time customer Nina Smith, of Queenstown, filled her trolley with goods for children at her workplace, the City Impact Church Childcare Centre, in Frankton.

The 26-year-old said: ”The kids are going to be so excited to see everything.

”It’s going to be great having Kmart in town so we can have more resources for our kids.

”I think it will get busier and busier.”

A formal opening celebration with activities and giveaways will take place at the store next Friday.

joshua.walton@odt.co.nz