Spotlight Group building its biggest ever Spotlight store and plans to expand with 150 new stores

Spotlight Group has provided Unwrap a glimpse of its $250m mixed-use site in Maroochydore, which is often referred to as “the beating heart” of the Sunshine Coast.

The first stage of the Maroochydore development, valued at $45m, will generate more than 230 FTE jobs during construction and 270 further jobs upon opening.

“This is the perfect way of showcasing our three retail brands in one development,” said Deputy Executive Chairman Zac Fried.

As well as an extensive carpark, a mixture of other retail, apartments, hotels or commercial ­office space is expected to be built in the precinct in a later stage.

Spotlight now has about 140 stores, Anaconda 70 outlets and Harris Scarfe is in 46 locations.

There are plans to grow by at least 10 new stores each brand per year and to expand in New Zealand and Singapore.

“Across the three brands we have committed to rolling out over the next five years over 150 stores subject to the right deal and right locations,” Mr Fried said.

“Bricks and mortar is here to stay,” reaffirmed Mr Fried.

“Some bricks-and-mortar stores may downsize or become showrooms. Everyone will have their own twist to it.”

“One thing COVID-19 has taught us is convenience shopping is really important,” he said.

“You park outside and go inside, and you can get in and out pretty seamlessly and quickly.”

Spotlight will be building its largest store globally in Maroochydore at over 6,000sqm, showcasing all that Spotlight has to offer.

Spotlight will act as the anchor store and is expected to open in early 2022, and then an Anaconda ­superstore and Harris ­Scarfe will follow.