New Zealand's largest Kmart, the Manukau Supa Centa Store in Auckland, has officially opened its doors to the public.
More than 100 people were queuing up outside the premises early on Thursday morning, eager to be the first customers to shop the new outlet.
The ceremonial ribbon-cutting took place by the security sensors at 8am on the dot, with staff erupting into cheers.
The newest addition marks Kmart's 26th store in Aotearoa, joining Auckland's Sylvia Park as the second outlet to operate 24/7.
The largest Kmart in the country, the "new-look" store boasts a "refreshed layout" and a trading floor of nearly 5000 sqm, a spokesperson for the retailer said.
The opening of the megastore has been 10 years in the making, mainly due to efforts to find a site large enough to house the 4970 sqm floor plan. As it turns out, that site was a mere 300m down the road from the previous Kmart Manukau, with its 100 existing staffers being transferred to the new-and-improved store, alongside 60 new staffers.
A new 40,000 sqm distribution centre is also planned to open in Ruakura, Hamilton later this year to help keep the shelves stocked nationwide.
AM reporter Emma Olsen, who was at the official opening this morning, found one keen Kmart fan who had been waiting in line since 3:30am.
"I was on my way back from the airport. I just want to have a really good look… it sounds like a good time to come," she said.
Kylie, mum to one of the store's 60 new staff, was also up early to join the queue.
"This is my daughter's first job, at the new store. I've been dropping her off in the wee hours, so I decided to wait it out - thought it'd be more stupid to go home and sit in the traffic. It's been great seeing the store come to life."
Watch the opening of the new Kmart Manukau Supa Centa Store above.
