A new state-of-the-art Sainsbury’s has opened in Staplehurst, Maidstone, Kent, with 120 staff.
The 18,000 sq ft supermarket, which is one of the most sustainable sites, gives customers the choice of around 20,000 products from the aisles, shelves and fridges.
Upon entry to the store, customers are also greeted with the retailer’s new look fresh produce format and design Fresh Food Market. The market style shopping experience celebrates seasonality and British heritage.
There is a fresh bakery instore that is expected to prepare over 180 loaves of fresh bread on site every day, alongside a self-serve patisserie that features speciality cakes.
As part of Sainsbury’s ambition to be Net Zero across its own operations by 2040, the new store will adopt a range of sustainable initiatives, with 100% LED light fittings, customer electric vehicle charging points, water saving taps, reduced flush toilets and waterless urinals.
The store is also fitted with a natural refrigeration solution which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions from refrigerants plus the heat from the fridges is recycled to help warm the store. Two Bee Hotels have also been set up on site to help protect the local bee population. The landscaping in the carpark and around the store is also bee-attracting to encourage pollination.
The store has been designed to bring convenience and the very best in product choice to the local community. There’s a large selection of food in line with the retailer’s strategy to put Food First, from dairy and deli products, vegetarian and vegan options, savoury and sweet snacks and chilled to confectionary.
There are also many ready-made meals and food-to-go choices to give customers delicious and good value options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The store also features SmartShop technology, giving customers the option to skip the checkout queues and complete their shop even quicker. They’ll be able to scan and pack products as they shop by downloading the app to their phone.
Customers can also shop from a further 20,000 products through the Argos store inside the supermarket.
There is parking available for 171 cars, alongside motorbike parking and bicycle hoops for customers riding to the store. The store is open 8am – 10pm Monday through to Saturday and 10am – 4pm on Sundays.
Sainsbury’s Property Director, Patrick Dunne said, “We’re very pleased to open the doors and share this much-anticipated store with the local community. We have created over 120 jobs and I’m especially proud that we’re welcoming a number of local young people entering the workforce for the first time.
'This is a state-of-the-art store that we know will serve the village for generations to come. Thank you Staplehurst for your support and patience as we delivered this store safely and efficiently.”
Sainsbury’s Staplehurst Store Manager, Kwadwo Osei said, “My team and I are delighted to offer local residents a new shopping experience that gives them convenience alongside quality and low prices.”