Westfield Knox upgrade: Aldi, Woolworths opens in new fresh food precinct
A new fresh food precinct and big name retailers have opened at Westfield Knox, as the centre unveils the first stage of its $355m makeover.
Outer East
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The first stage of Westfield Knox’s $355m upgrade has been revealed, with Woolworths and Aldi opening their doors in a new fresh food marketplace.
The supermarket giants opened on Thursday, along with a range of new retailers, including The Butcher Club, Walker’s Doughnuts, Baker’s Delight, seafood store Fisch, sashimi and oyster specialists Maguro, and Asian Food Connection.
A number of other restaurants and stores are also set to open on Thursday, including Dumpling Alley, Nene Chicken, Local Hero Singapore and Omi, with Selene’s Chocolate Bar to open soon.
Westfield Knox centre manager Kristian Nicholls said he was beyond excited to see the new precinct open.
“The new stores look stunning and the whole retail experience is just extraordinary, so I think it has come together really well, and the customers are loving it,” he said.
“The atmosphere is electric.”
Mr Nicholls said the upgrade was all about offering more convenience and choice to customers, with a really curated food offering.
“Now with Aldi, Woolworths and Coles, it’s just an amazing array of food on offer, so it’s really great and just in time for Christmas.”
Mr Nicholls said it was just the beginning of Westfield Knox’s transformation.
“We’re reimagining the centre – from 2023 we’ll look at opening the basketball court, the swimming pool, library, community spaces and that will sit alongside our global retail offering so we’re really excited about that,” he said.
The new Woolworths store has created 105 new jobs, and has an in-store bakery, fresh seafood, Direct to Boot online ordering system, and new Scan & Go technology, allowing customers to use their phones to scan items and avoid lining up at check-outs, built into the Woolworths app.
The new supermarkets will finally offer more choice to shoppers at Westfield Knox, which has had two Coles stores for years, and previously a Bi-Lo.
Woolworths state marketing manager Rob Wilson said it was great to open the new store at Knox.
“I think it will give locals an option for a different supermarket choice in Westfield Knox,” he said.
“They’ve obviously been waiting many years for a Woolworths to come into the centre, and we’re excited to be here.”
Shopper Lisa said she was impressed with the new precinct.
“It’s fantastic, it’s a big improvement,” she said.
But she said she was looking forward to the food court reopening in its new location, and offering more kid-friendly dining options.
Westfield Knox will also introduce paid parking next year, for shoppers who stay longer than three hours.