New Kmart store in Queenstown opening today

The Kmart store is part of the Queenstown Central retail development on the Frankton Flats. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery, Otago Daily Times

Shoppers eagerly awaiting the delayed opening of Queenstown's Kmart store will be allowed to fill their trolleys today, the retail chain says.

The store, which is part of the $100 million first stage of the Queenstown Central retail development on the Frankton Flats, will open tomorrow after a two-week delay.

Kmart caused confusion this afternoon when it announced in a social media post the store's opening would be delayed once again.

The post stated: "Update: Due to unforeseen reasons our store opening has unfortunately been delayed. We're working hard to open ASAP and our official opening celebrations will now be held Friday 26 October.''

However, a spokeswoman for the company this afternoon clarified that the post meant to say the store would be opening today as planned, but its formal in-store celebration day activities and giveaways would take place on October 26.

Most of the first stage of the project, to include about 45 tenants spread across four buildings, was meant to open on October 4 but construction problems have caused delays.

Dominion Constructors Ltd was issued with a ''Notice to Fix'' by the Queenstown Lakes District Council in late August after a worker cut through steel bars connecting the concrete wall panels and foundations of buildings on the site.

Remedial works were then required to address issues affecting two of the buildings.

Earlier this week, the Otago Daily Times reported the building could not fully open until a Certificate of Public Use was issued - that certificate was contingent on further safety checks at the site today after an initial inspection on Monday.

Council communications adviser Campbell Weal said the communications team still had not heard from the control team in charge of the inspection on site by 2.50pm.

A Kmart spokeswoman added that the company has had "confirmation that it is safe to open''.