One of Tauranga's oldest super- markets has announced it is closing.
Staff were called to a meeting at Foodtown on Thursday night and told the supermarket would close on May 1.
Management cited a lack of income as the reason.
An employee, who did not want to be identified as she is hoping
to pick up more work, said staff were shocked and upset.
"There are a lot of older people who have worked there for 25 years," she said.
"They are the ones that work during the day, they will probably be used to a certain income and hours that suit them because they have kids and stuff."
Foodtown has operated for 28 years on Cameron Rd. Its 49 employees were offered a list of hours at Foodtown's sister stores Countdown and Woolworths.
"But it's not like 'you get to go work there', it's more like 'here are the hours available, if it suits you then fine'," she said.
The woman said management told them they would not have closed the store without having options for staff "but looking at the piece of paper, it doesn't look like many people will get jobs".
The woman said many regular customers were older and sometimes needed assistance "and we know them and look after them".
"We are like family. It's like another home."
Progressive Enterprises owns the Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown brands.
Chief operating officer Dave Chambers said Foodtown had a great team who "have worked extremely hard in a tough retail environment".
"We will be working with our team members on an individual basis to identify opportunities in other stores. Countdown has consulted the National Distribution Union on the decision," Mr Chambers said.
Most employees were expected to be absorbed into the team at the nearby Countdown store, which was being relaunched in April.
The owner of the building could not be reached yesterday for comment.
