Pictures | Taren Point’s Ritchies IGA Supermarket Relaunched After $4.5 Million Upgrade | County Leader of St George and Sutherland

Taren Point’s Ritchies IGA supermarket has had a facelift after a $4.5 million upgrade.

The Parraweena Road supermarket was relaunched on Wednesday after 14 months of construction and fit-out work.

Customers flocked to check out the new features and take advantage of a slew of promotions and prizes.

The size of the supermarket has not increased, but space is used more efficiently, allowing for a wider range of products, from specialty and gourmet food ranges to kitchen gadgets and utensils and gift items.

There’s a bakery, sushi bar, chocolate stand and an eco-friendly refill station with 15 Australian-made products, including household cleaners, laundry liquid, fabric softener and hand soap. Customers can bring their own 500mm two-litre container and staff will fill it or buy a canister for continued use.

The focus is on environmental friendliness, including recycling measures and biodegradable bags.

The store features a new trolley bay, cash register, self-service area, service desk, automatic gates, wall display and storefront glazing and doors. The facade of the building has been renovated.

There is also new equipment for the more than 200 staff members, who operate the store from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.

Manager Simon Fackender said: “We pretty much pulled it all out and started over.”

“We’ve been very busy and had great customer feedback on the new look.”

Maree Rooke, from Woolooware Bay, said: “It’s fantastic. I like the cleanliness, quality and quantity of the range of food and I’m able to find anything I need”.

Courtney Todd, who came from Peakhurst to shop, said: “It’s quieter than [other supermarkets] and with better variety and better prices”.

Dianne and Ron Scott of Woolooware Shores said the store was “lovely” and they were “very impressed”.

Patrick Spencer, who has worked at the supermarket for around 15 years as part of a disability employment scheme, said: ‘It’s much better than what was here before.