New Pick n Pay Express on Atlantic seaboard

The store will also have a PnP prepared hot foods and deli section, which takes forecourt convenience to a new level for this brand. It will stock up to 1800 lines and will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“This format has proved incredibly successful since we launched the first site in Hout Bay in December last year,” said Nick Badminton, CEO, Pick n Pay. “With each new launch we raise the bar in terms of offering and efficiency and, besides being the only store of this format to offer round-the-clock hot meals and deli area, the Green Point store will also set new standards in terms of environmental solutions.”

Environmentally friendly

“A good example of this is recycling,” said Bronwen Rohland, director Sustainable Development. “Our research revealed that while many of our customers wanted to recycle, they weren't necessarily sure how to go about it. We first piloted the recycling bins at our express store in Muizenberg, which opened on 30 July this year. This has received positive feedback from our customers and community leaders, so these easily identifiable recycling drop-off points will now be a standard forecourt feature in the store roll-out.”

In addition to the recycling initiatives, new stores are equipped with a lighting design that utilises reflection technology to increase output without increasing energy use, lights are fitted with the required electronic ballasts to ensure power consistency and separate electronic control gears to reduce heat production to prolong lifespan.

Every aspect of the building and functionality has been considered with the environment in mind, for example, only environmentally friendly paint has been specified for use throughout the buildings and bathrooms have been fitted with water-saving devices, such as sensor or push-taps and flush stop in the toilets. Environmentally friendly cleaning products are used throughout the stores, and green toilet paper and hand towels are also used (instead of hand dryers).

The external illuminated signage at all sites is LED and all printing is done with environmentally friendly, VOC-free, low-odour UV inks.

More convenience, more often

Raymond Ackerman at the opening of the PnP Express on Somerset Road.

“Increasing our convenience offering to our customers is an area of great potential growth,” said Badminton. “Our shoppers have indicated through research that they want more convenience - both in terms of ease of shopping and location - and Express stores, in conjunction with our other small store formats, gives them exactly that.”

Two more BP Express stores are scheduled to open by year-end in Philippi and Stellenbosch.