Pick n Pay celebrates its revamped store

Staff and customers celebrated the Pick n Pay revamped store.

Pick n Pay Heidelberg in the Victorian Village in Voortrekker Street has been serving the community of Heidelberg for the past 26 years after they opened their doors on March 20, 1998.

For Gavin Flood (26) it has been a lifetime as he was only 18 days old when his dad and owner Neil Flood opened the store.

The late Raymond Ackerman purchased the first Pick n Pay stores in 1967 and the group currently has more than 2 000 stores nationwide.

Neil Flood is still the owner of the Heidelberg store and to continue with the mission of the Pick n Pay Group of creating an excellent place to shop, he started with a massive revamp of the store in 2023.

“Pick n Pay Heidelberg is loved and valued within the community and we wanted to ensure our customers continuously get a great shopping experience,” Neil said.

New refrigeration, store equipment, and a bigger store overall to cater for more products were some upgrades made during the revamp.

Staff and guests gathered at the store from 6:30 on July 25, to celebrate the revamped store. It was a proud moment for Neil as his family joined him in the celebrations.

Wim Theron, Pick n Pay divisional head, welcomed everyone and said it is heartwarming for him to be at a relaunch of a store which has run in the Flood family for three generations. He added that Neil speaks truth to the values of the group in that the customer is always first and that everyone cares and respects each other.

“It is great to visit a town like Heidelberg, where a close-knit community still cares for each other. Neil and his sons David and Gavin ensured that family values and love for the community and customers created a special family store at Pick n Pay Heidelberg,” Theron said.

The staff’s appreciation for Neil was demonstrated when they escorted him with a song and a dance to the microphone for him to address everyone. In his speech, Neil spoke with high appreciation about his staff and the Pick n Pay management team, as without them the success would not have been possible.

“We serve with our hearts. We create a great place and rest assured we will continue to create an excellent place to shop,” Neil said.

Long service awards for staff members were handed out. Gladys Mkhize who works in the butchery, was one lady who received a reward. She has worked with Neil since he opened the store 26 years ago.

“I enjoy my job and have learned so much over the years. I also know most of the customers,” Gladys said.

The ribbon was cut at 08:00 and the store opened the doors for customers to enjoy the experience.

During interviews with a few customers, the following was said:

“We stay in Nigel, but we always shop at Pick n Pay. We had to get used to where everything is as the layout has changed but the staff is always friendly and helpful. We enjoy the bigger aisles, as we can walk easier with our walking supports,” said Brand (80) and Linda Strydom (78).

Kittie Schonken (79) said she was impressed with the store and always enjoyed the fresh products and the friendly staff.

The celebrations continued throughout the day with stilt walking, face painting, creative balloon animals and sculptures and great in-store specials.

The store also launched their Win a Vitz car competition, which will run from July 25 to October 20.

Shoppers need to spend R250 at Pick n Pay Heidelberg, place their completed till slip in the car parked at the entrance and one lucky shopper could win a Toyota Vitz.

In true Pick n Pay tradition, family, staff and customers came together to celebrate a great shopping experience.