Kettle's on. Here's what's been doing the rounds in NZ retail over the past few months. It's all on the public record, so nobody's getting in trouble.
The big box with the checkouts at the front
Kmart opened its largest New Zealand store at Westgate Town Centre on 10 September. It's 6,700 sqm, stocks more than 50,000 products and is open 24 hours. It's the first NZ store in Kmart's "Plan C+" format, with checkouts at the front, 17 self-checkouts, beauty moved up front, and bigger womenswear and kidswear sections.
Property general manager Ben Smith said "value has never been more important than it is today," and that Kmart would "love to deliver this new format on our 27 other stores across New Zealand."
Water cooler maths: 50,000 products in 6,700 sqm works out to about 7.5 products per square metre. If you've ever thought your stockroom was full, spare a thought for whoever's doing that stocktake.
The lesson for the rest of us: Kmart moved beauty to the front for a reason. What's in the first three metres inside your door, and is it there because it sells or because it's always been there?
Queen Street gets bougie
Faradays opened its department store at 131 Queen Street on 26 September, in the heritage building that once housed Milne & Choyce. It runs over three levels and 3,000 sqm, with a reported $30 million fit-out. Brands include Chloé, Jacquemus, Maison Margiela and Repetto, plus Kiwi labels Kowtow, Beach Brains and Nature Baby. It's also New Zealand's first in-store stockist of Skims. Lottie's, a 70-seat all-day eatery from Josh and Helen Emett, opened inside on 2 October.
Water cooler maths: $30 million across 3,000 sqm is about $10,000 a square metre on the fit-out. That makes the usual tin of touch-up paint look fairly modest.
The lesson: The Spinoff summed up the thinking as "destination shopping is the name of the game." You don't need $30 million for that. You need one reason people would make a special trip to see you, and a team who can deliver it.
Farro number eight
Farro's eighth store is at 480 Broadway in Newmarket, on the old Liquorland site. It has an in-house fishmonger and butcher, a coffee station, 70 car parks and products from more than 500 specialty makers. CEO Garth Sutherland called Newmarket "a fantastic hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment."
Moving around the corner
Kids' brand Nature Baby has moved its Wellington store from Jessie Street to a bigger space in Te Aro, about 160 sqm, with a community area and kitchen for local families. Founder Jacob Faull said: "Moving around the corner lets us do more for the families who already know us."
That's a good line for any owner thinking about a relocation. The new site was chosen for the customers the store already has.
New faces in town
Oroton opened its first New Zealand store at Commercial Bay, Auckland, in July.
Mocka, founded in Christchurch, opened its first NZ store at Tower Junction in its home town in July, with a grand opening event planned for August.
One to watch
Costco has had its plans for a second NZ warehouse, its first in the South Island, accepted into the fast-track process. It's proposing a 16,090 sqm mixed-use development in Christchurch, about half of it retail, with a members-only fuel station. The wider consent isn't approved yet, so don't line up with your trolley just yet. A second Auckland site at Drury is also in the works.
And finally
Colliers reports Auckland strip-retail vacancy down to 6.8% at June, from 10.5% a year earlier. So there are fewer empty shops, more new neighbours and probably more competition for your foot traffic. Worth keeping in mind.
Got a store opening, a move or a milestone you'd like mentioned? Drop us a line at workwithus@benchsmart.nz. And if you want to see how your own business stacks up, the free Benchsmart Health Check is 50 questions and the best 6 minutes of your life.
Sources
1News, A first look at Kmart's new layout ahead of largest store opening (9 September 2026)
The Spinoff, What we know about Faradays, Auckland's new fancy department store (25 September 2026)
Inside Retail NZ, Farro opens eighth supermarket in Newmarket (22 October 2026)
Inside Retail NZ, Nature Baby moves to a larger Wellington store (15 October 2026)
Inside Retail NZ, Oroton to open first NZ store in Auckland (15 July 2026)
Rova, Mocka is finally opening its first ever NZ store (9 July 2026)
Inside Retail NZ, Costco attempts to fast-track opening of Christchurch store (15 October 2026)
Inside Retail NZ, Auckland, Wellington retail real estate vacancy falls (13 October 2026)