Choice The Discount Store opens in Hervey Bay

The major expansion of a discount retail giant across Australia reached Hervey Bay this week, and people are excited for a good reason. Watch the video:

Choice The Discount Store opened in Hervey Bay on Thursday with a balloon selection and station like no other.

An array of metallic, foil and decorative balloons in every colour of the rainbow cascade over two walls in the shop, along with tiers of ribbon and balloon weights.

The bargain store opened at the Pialba Place shopping complex on September 1, stocking everything from well-known food brands and beauty to gardening items, homewares, crafts and more.

Choice social media and content creator Brian Stott said there was a huge demand for a Choice in Hervey Bay.

“So many people travelled from Hervey Bay to the Bundaberg store, but now that they can have a store in Hervey Bay, everyone’s super excited,” he said.

Choice staff member Haylee Macgregor at the store's balloon station, which will also stock helium balloons.

Along with an impressive balloon selection, there are aisles packed with matching party decor and crafts.

Helium balloons will be arriving soon for customers to order in-store, and pick up when they are ready.

The balloon selection at Choice The Discount Store covers an entire wall, Hervey Bay.

Mr Stott said most of the 30 Choice stores were located in Queensland, including one which opened in Maryborough in 2021.

“We’ve been expanding so much over the past couple of years,” he said.

The Choice team in Hervey Bay. From left, Leon Woods, Andrew Jeffrey, Kerrie McLean, Haylee Macgregor and Penny Hawkey.

Part of the party selection at Choice The Discount Store in Hervey Bay.

Choice owner Rakesh Khatri was at the Hervey Bay store’s grand opening on Thursday, and said the brand had been around for 25 years.

“We decided to open the store [in Hervey Bay] because there’s no other discounter doing what we do,” he said.

“I think especially in this time with cost of living pressures, the range of products we have at very good prices, will make a big difference to the community’s budget.”