As a member of the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce, Robina Group was invited to a sneak preview of the new Masters Home Improvement superstore, located on the corner of Scottsdale Drive and Christine Avenue in Robina and which will open its doors next week.

The impressive 13,500 sqm store is expected to attract thousands of DIY Gold Coasters, with more than 35,000 products on its shelves.

Mark Nagy, Manager of the Robina store, said the company, a joint venture between Woolworths and Lowes in the US, chose to open in Robina because of its central location.

“Robina is the new CBD of Gold Coast City with exceptional infrastructure in place, from Robina Town Centre to its surrounding suburbs, all roads lead to Robina,” he said.

Mr Nagy said Masters believes in the area so much, he expected the store to be one of the top performing nationally before long.

Mr Nagy also expressed Masters’ commitment to small businesses in the community.

“Small business is the life blood of Australian retail, employing 70% of the workforce. We are very respectful of this which is why we have gone all out to include small business,” he said.

“I am a small business owner myself, so when I say we will support local business, I mean it because I am in it.”

Mr Nagy explained that the national home improvement store has been working closely with locally owned Home Hardware to ensure the brands offered by each store complement each other and that Masters is also committed to supporting the Easy T Butchery – located across the road.

“Charities using our community barbeque facilities must purchase their sausages from the Easy T Butchery. We have researched the area and their price is very competitive. This agreement not only guarantees affordability and quality, but also consistency for the end consumer,” he said.

As part of its commitment to local industry, with the exception of one staff member hailing from Logan, Masters’ 140 employees are all from Gold Coast City and Tweed areas. The majority are mature in age, with Mr Nagy citing a preference to source highly experienced and dedicated staff.

The store has also employed females in eight of its senior management positions, quite an achievement in a predominately male orientated industry.

Mr Nagy said customers could take advantage of their 24 month interest free program (provided by HSBC) and businesses with an ABN could receive 5% off storewide by applying for a Masters business account or trade card.