The Bush Inn Centre will replace its Countdown supermarket for a permanent farmers' market, expected to open in early 2019.

The Stuff website reports* that The Provedore will be a range of grocery shops organised into different sections – European, Asian, Indian, Mediterranean, Organic, Halal and health foods – as well as traditional supermarket basics. Briscoes would move into the complex.

Boutique property management company Ganson Group, which manages two malls in Thames and Upper Hutt, is behind the development, which is expected to cost more than $18 million and is due to open in early 2019.

Property manager Andy Bell said the mall was adapting the idea of a farmers' market into one available all week and under cover. "There are some very good farmers' markets around the place, but they are sort of only available on a single short-term basis, one day a week, and they're outside."

Bell said they wanted to challenge the traditional supermarket industry, which was dominated by supermarket giants Foodstuffs (New World and Pak 'n Save) and Progressive Enterprises (Countdown). People's shopping habits were changing and there was a need to return to the market concept, partly because demographics were shifting, Bell said.

"People are shopping far more frequently. They are younger people and professionals, they're buying just what they need for the next few nights. The next day they'll come back and there will be something different."

"We're offering something that's completely different to what else is available. It's got to be a genuine alternative to supermarkets."

Ganson Group has tenants secured for half of the Provedore spots, he said. The shop sizes vary from 600 square metres to a kiosk-sized 17sqm.

* https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/100398568/christchurchs-bush-inn-centre-to-swap-supermarket-for-daily-farmers-market-as-malls-compete-for-custom