Super Birthday Deals: PAK’nSAVE turns 40 with a blast from the past
PAK’nSAVE New Plymouth team members Hope Loveridge, Safety Excellence Manager, and Bailee Jackson, Office Manager, get into the ‘80s groove during PAK’nSAVE’s 40th birthday deals instore.
Tim Tams and Bluebird chips were the standout favourites as PAK’nSAVE gave shoppers a taste of 1985 for its 40th birthday. From 21 July to 3 August, stores nationwide offered a different product each day at 1985 prices, marking the year the first PAK’nSAVE opened in Kaitaia. The daily deals proved popular, with Tim Tams and Bluebird chips emerging as the most sought-after items. North Island PAK’nSAVE customers bagged more than 126,000 packets of Bluebird chips, and almost 81,000 packets of Tim Tams. The other top-selling daily deal was Weet-Bix 1.2kg, with 58,528 boxes sold on the third day of the promotion. Foodstuffs North Island’s Head of PAK’nSAVE, Merih Boz, says the campaign added excitement and nostalgia to shopping. “PAK’nSAVE has always been about delivering New Zealand’s lowest food prices, and this birthday gave us a chance to celebrate with our customers by rolling back prices on a selection of products to 1985. The response from customers was fantastic, and it was wonderful to see so many embrace the ‘80s spirit.” Stores also embraced the retro theme – from staff in yellow headbands and wristbands at PAK’nSAVE New Plymouth, to 80s memorabilia posters at PAK’nSAVE Albany, and Mill St staff dressing in full retro style. Even the instore music playlists were dedicated to ‘80s hits. PAK’nSAVE New Plymouth owner operator Luke Stock says the campaign was a highlight of the year. “Everyone loved the nostalgia of 1985 prices. We even had customers bring in newspaper adverts of store specials from back in the day. Our younger team members couldn’t believe you could ever buy a box of Weet-Bix for under $3; they were running daily sales predictions on every 1985 deal. “It really brought the community together in a fun way. The store playlist during those two weeks went down a treat as well – the ‘80s definitely had some bangers!” In the South Island, the most popular daily deal was Bluebird chips, with 97,163 packets sold across PAK’nSAVE stores. Almost 40,000 packets of Tim Tams flew off the shelves on day one, while Tuesday’s potato deal saw 18,000 bags of 3kg spuds sold – up from 5,900 bags for the whole week before. Many stores got on board with themed decorations, including a giant cardboard birthday cake built by PAK’nSAVE Dunedin team member, Chris Houghton, and his kids.
PAK’nSAVE Dunedin got into the birthday spirit with a cardboard 40th birthday cake.
PAK’nSAVE Dunedin owner operator Justin Vaudrey says team members made the most of the campaign, getting into the birthday festivities and creating a fun atmosphere for customers. “Our team really embraced the 1985 birthday deals – it was such a fun way to celebrate PAK’nSAVE’s 40th. We had everyone getting into the spirit, dressing up in classic ‘80s gear – think neon headbands, big hair and ‘80s tracksuits – and we even had a giant cardboard birthday cake for the store. It created such a great atmosphere, and our customers loved joining in on the celebrations.”