New tradie haven in Dunedin

After years of careful consideration and planning, PlaceMakers Dunedin’s move to its new Carisbrook site is complete and the trade-focused store is open for business

Purpose-built with no compromises – that has been the dream for Justin Macready for his new Dunedin store for more than a decade. The owner-operator of PlaceMakers Dunedin and Mosgiel had to decide whether to re-design the existing site on Portsmouth Drive or move to Carisbrook, previous home of the Highlanders. He is confident the right decision has been made.

“I knew when I arrived in 2009 that we needed to move or upgrade the current site, so I’ve had a bit of time to mull it over,” says Justin. “It was a tough decision, as it was a good location and people knew where we were; but we knew that moving would allow us to build a dedicated store with no compromises – which essentially means the best layout for our customers – and that was the most important factor.”

Justin says the business has changed completely since the previous store was built in 1997.

“The way people do business has changed dramatically in the past 25 years, and so has our customer base and volume of work. Even since I arrived in 2009, we’ve grown and changed so much – more than doubling our sales and becoming more trade focused and capable, to the point where it’s now over 95% of our business. 

Customers at its core

Justin says looking at the new store makes it clear how business has changed – it’s a reflection of the ‘new norm’.

“Two Covid lockdowns and our digital platform being fast-tracked has really expedited a new way of doing business,” explains Justin. “When we came out of both lockdowns to a massive amount of demand, the number of customers placing pre-orders for collection skyrocketed.

“In response, we’re the first new PlaceMakers store to have a dedicated ‘Click and Collect’ zone and we’re working hard to increase the number of products on offer through it.”

Justin says the timing of the shift was perfect, as they still had flexibility in the store design to allow for it.

“We’ve worked hard to offer a good Click and Collect experience and had great feedback, with customers saying we’re far better than anyone in the market. I’m sure we’ll have some wee tweaks to make, which we will do based on customer feedback, but I really believe we have nailed it!”

The new store caters for a wide variety of customer needs and interests beyond Click and Collect, boasting a more efficient drive-thru, a good ‘bundling’ of products process, a new landscaping yard with bulk aggregates, and a new drywall aisle featuring everything from standard products to best in class.

The showroom has been split in two, with one area specifically designed for PlaceMakers builders’ customers. With a high-end showroom feel, it features the latest plumbing, bathroom, kitchen, wardrobe and heating range displays in a warm and comfortable environment. It even features working displays, such as shower options.

“Again, this is based specifically on feedback from our customers, who’ve told us that when it comes to decisions on these products, it’s much easier to send their customers in to view the products, talk to our team of experts and make their selections,” says Justin.

The other ‘showroom’ is dedicated to the trade, with a Toolshop, Fastenings Zone, Safety Store, Hardware Range and a trade-focused Paint, Adhesive and Sealants area.

Recognising its roots

The fact that Carisbrook was previously known for scoreboards rather than plasterboard is something that Justin and his team are keen to honour.

“The added bonus that our new store is on the hallowed ground of Carisbrook makes it even more special and we want to ensure it reflects its special past,” says Justin.

To do so, the store will feature original stadium signage and goal posts, as well as a collection of memorabilia recalling past sporting achievements.

“We’ve had so much donated, including signed jerseys, programmes, some gravel from the old embankment and even an original bench seat from the ground signed by 10 Otago rugby luminaries, including Ben Smith, Kees Meeuws and Laurie Mains,” says Justin, who even made a discovery of his own in the process.

“I found an old newspaper article from the 1950s with a photo of my father playing for Waitaki Boys as a curtain raiser for the All Blacks Vs South Africa match! My brother and sister and I didn’t even know he’d done that!”

History aside, Justin is eager to see the doors open and welcome a new era.

“We’re so excited to have moved in and see how the years of planning have paid off,” he says. “My team has worked so hard for this and we know that, from 4 July, our customers are going to love it!”