Charlotte Troup-Paul, Anna Hannerfors, Mandeep Kaur, Jade (winning customer) and Mark Troup-Paul

The $10.5 million investment from Foodstuffs North Island created 100 local jobs and a 3,100 sqm supermarket built to meet the needs of one of the Bay of Plenty’s fastest expanding suburbs. 12 months on, Owner Operator Mark Troup-Paul says the response from locals has exceeded expectations. 

“From day one, the community has really welcomed the store,” says Mark. “We’ve just been focused on doing our job, making sure the store is reliable, friendly, and well stocked – especially with lots of fresh foods. It’s been really rewarding to see it become a part of everyday life for so many local families.”  

And everyday life at The Sands is busy. Christmas Eve was the biggest day of the year, with 3,366 transactions and more than 42,000 items sold, an average of one transaction every 26 seconds across the entire day of trading. 

Over the year, bananas have been the most popular product, purchased 74,491 times, enough to make a banana split for every person in Tauranga. Shoppers have also picked up 26,599 bottles of Pams Value Standard Milk 2L, and eaten 15,652 hot pies, nearly 50 a day. 

The Sands’ most loyal customer has shopped 490 times, averaging 1.3 visits every day. 

Clear shopping patterns have formed too, with Sundays and Saturdays the busiest shopping days, followed by Tuesdays. Mondays and Thursdays are typically quieter. 

Opening a new supermarket in a fast-growing area brings unique challenges and opportunities. 

“When you open a new store, people have to get used to shopping somewhere different,” says Mark. “They expect friendly service, good products, and a smooth experience, while our team is still finding its feet. It’s been great to see customers happy with the store - the team can be really proud of that.”  

“A highlight has been seeing people grow and develop over the last 12 months. It’s been awesome to watch the team build confidence and capability, and that’s what helps us achieve our goal of being one of the best supermarkets in the country.” 

The Sands’ community partnerships have also gone from strength to strength. The store works with Good Neighbour in Tauranga to donate food that can no longer be sold, and supports the Pāpāmoa Food Hub, local schools and kindergartens, and the cricket and football clubs. 

Mark says: “Pāpāmoa is a special place that’s on the up. We’re all navigating the cost-of-living crisis, but there’s a real sense of optimism here. The new motorway interchange opening in February will give the area another boost, and we’re looking forward to Mitre 10 MEGA opening next year too, it’s all part of the region’s growth story.” 

The Sands has also been quick to embrace new ideas and new ways of shopping. Online shopping and the store’s concierge drive-through pickup service, launched in December, have proven popular. 

“The uptake has blown us away, the people of Pāpāmoa love it,” Mark says. “We’re also continuing to add more local suppliers and products so customers can enjoy the best of what the Bay has to offer.” 

To celebrate its first birthday, three customers each won their groceries for free last week. 

“We’ve had a fantastic first year,” says Mark. “The feedback from customers has been hugely positive, and we’re looking forward to continuing to be part of Pāpāmoa’s next chapter.” 

Fast Facts: New World The Sands 

• $10.5 million investment in the local community 

• 3,100 sqm store footprint 

• 100 local jobs created (with capacity to grow to 150–200) 

• 149 car parks 

• 6 team-operated checkouts and 8 self-scans 

• Focus on local suppliers and fresh, high-quality products