Bayfair's $15 million upgrade is on track, with the new entrance and retail stores to open at the end of next month.
Australian-based chain store JB Hi-Fi is the big drawcard - the electronics retailer will occupy a 1250sq m store.
Bayfair centre manager Andrew Wadsworth said it was the first branch
of JB Hi-Fi to open in the Bay of Plenty.
"It's massive, these guys will go great guns here. We are very excited that they are coming to Bayfair, but also to the Tauranga region."
Another large new retailer, Bed, Bath and Beyond chain, has a 160sqm shop space.
Bargain shop 1, 2, 3 Mart will fill a space next to Woolworths, while health and beauty store Chii is also a new addition to the mall.
"[A bargain shop] is something our customers have been asking for, and we have been able to offer it because of the development," Mr Wadsworth said.
Other shops to fill the new spaces will be relocated from other parts of the mall.
Silver Moon and Hardy's Healthy Living, both currently trading in kiosks, will move in to permanent shops.
Women's fashion store Blueberry will move from its temporary spot in the shop that was formerly Staxs, and Rodney Wayne will move from beside Farmers.
Pero's hair salon will move into the refurbished section from its temporary home at the end of the foodcourt. That space will be filled by a fish and chip outlet, due to open in late October.
With Zarrb furnishing also set to close, that will leave at least three shops and two kiosks vacant for new retailers.
Mr Wadsworth said he was "fairly confident" the vacancies would be quickly filled, leaving no empty shops.
"We have got several options. It's trying to decide what's right one for the centre.
"Demand is still there. It's still tough out there, no doubt about it, but with what we are doing at the moment, there's still retail demand for Bayfair."
Customer numbers have remained stable throughout the refurbishment, despite the mall operating with 10 fewer shops.
But while numbers have stayed the same, shoppers are spending more money compared with the same time last year.
Mr Wadsworth expected a surge in customers after the refurbishment opened, timed to coincide with the pre-Christmas rush.
The refurbishment will allow a new, wider, eastern entranceway into the mall.
Both Whitcoulls and ANZ are building a second entranceway to their shops, accessed by the refurbished corridor. Whitcoulls will refit its store to coincide with the new entrance.
The outdoor food outlets are due to open at the end of October.
While Burger Fuel will not return to the mall, Nandos and Saaj Indian Cuisine will both reopen, along with new addition Coffee Club. A new Subway kiosk will open near Woolworths inside the mall late next month.
The refurbishment also includes remodelling the outside canopies, signage, lighting and footpath. The mall's bus stop is also undergoing a facelift, with new shelters being installed.
The $15 million refurbishment includes a $6 million upgrade of Woolworths supermarket, which is already complete.
The supermarket has been refitted but will remain under the Woolworths brand.
While Progressive is changing most of its Woolworths and Foodtown brands to "new generation" Countdown stores, a Countdown supermarket already exists in Bayfair.
The two supermarkets will continue to operate in tandem.
Revealed: Bayfair's new shops
Bayfair's $15 million upgrade is on track, with the new entrance and retail stores to open at the end of next month.
Australian-based chain store JB Hi-Fi is the big drawcard - the electronics retailer will occupy a 1250sq m store.
Bayfair centre manager Andrew Wadsworth said it was the first branch
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