By Claire Reilly

SYDNEY, NSW: Woolworths Limited’s new hardware retail chain, known as Masters Home Improvement, will be moving in to Canberra’s Majura Park business precinct – home of the Canberra Costco Warehouse.

Woolworths announced the news today, with the store set to be built ready for an opening in the second half of 2012.

While many details of the new retailer are still under wraps, Woolworths community relations manager Simon Berger said the home improvement store would offer consumers a diverse range of quality products for their homes, including appliances.

“We are maintaining an element of surprise, but are confident Masters will raise the bar when it comes to range, value, service and shopping experience,” said Berger.

“Masters will provide competition and offer more choice for local people who take pride in maintaining and improving their homes.

“With around 35,000 products, Masters will focus on home improvement, not just hardware. For example, customers will be able to get what they need to renovate their kitchen, along with appliances for the kitchen.

“Our team of around 150 will have extensive training to bring a new level of service, in a nicer shopping environment”, said Mr Berger.

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Despite fears of Costco edging out competition (the supermarket chain Supabarn closed its doors in Majura Park earlier this year), Majura Park is proving to be a popular retail location according to Stephen Byron, managing director of the Canberra Airport which owns the site.

Speaking about the opening of the Canberra Costco store last month, Byron said that it was sure to bring other retailers to Majura Park.

“It’s already acting as a magnet for other business,” he said. “They can see what they will deliver to the precinct and I would be understating it to say that we have very strong enquiries from other retailers wanting to be near them.”

The opening of Masters in Canberra will follow store openings for Woolworths, Big W and Dick Smith at Majura Park. The stores are expected to add around 450 new retail jobs to the 2,900 provided by Woolworths Limited in Canberra.

Current.com.au has contacted Woolworths Limited for further comment about the rollout of the Masters retail chain.