Thirty-five years after stepping into his first New World as a part-timer stacking shelves, Justin Vaudrey returns with wife Claire to their roots to take the reins as owner-operators of PAK’nSAVE Dunedin.
Born and raised in Dunedin, where the pair first met, Justin says returning to the city feels like coming home.
“Returning to Dunedin feels like putting on a familiar and favourite jacket,” he says.
“Seeing old family and friends again feels very natural and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
Justin started his grocery career stacking shelves at New World Centre City in 1989. Over the next few years, he worked in various departments before progressing to store manager.
He says he’s always enjoyed the busy nature of supermarkets.
“I was working late-nights having just graduated when the owner offered me a job as a buyer,” he says. “I immediately relished engaging with suppliers, working with the team, being in the heart of Dunedin, and being part of the best New World we could be.”
Claire graduated from the University of Otago to become a primary school teacher in the city. In 2010, she left the industry and together with Justin became the new owner operators of New World Westport.
“It was a big adventure, and one that I was keen on committing to,” she says. “As a former teacher, my skills lie with people, training, development, and culture.”
“I really enjoy seeing my team fall in love with the industry like I have, and then offering them development and guidance to achieve whatever it is they want to do.”
From Westport, the pair moved to Christchurch becoming owner operators of New World South City, where they were involved in the development of New World Durham, a new flagship store for the South Island. Claire says each store they’ve operated has taught them something unique.
“Westport taught us the power of community and the unity that a small town can have,” she says.
“And I found the opening and running of New World Durham Street to be an amazing experience, as we worked with our team to create a customer-focused store with a clear strategy.”
As for what brings them to Dunedin, Justin says a new challenge, as well as the opportunity to return to where they grew up.
“When we heard PAK’nSAVE Dunedin was looking for new owners, it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up,” he says. “Being the sole PAK’nSAVE in the city, we want to make sure it represents the brand really well. Our plan for the store is to work with the team to provide our community with the best PAK’nSAVE experience they can get.”
The pair have been owners for just over a month, and while the transition has mostly been smooth, flash floods in October that impacted many of the neighbouring homes and businesses presented an unexpected challenge.
“While our store wasn’t directly affected, that day really underlined the importance of remaining calm and keeping essential items stocked during a crisis,” Justin says.
“Our team members went above and beyond, with many coming in on their days off to stock shelves and help with the clean-up. We really appreciated their efforts and the nothing-is-a-problem attitude they displayed.”
With the worst of the weather behind them, Claire is enthusiastic about the future.
“Dunedin has a great heartbeat,” she says. “It’s a city with lovely community vibes. There’s lots of great history and the university adds a lot of culture. It’s the next step in our journey, and we’re in it for the long haul.
“For us, it’s a homecoming.”
