Yeperenye's search is on for a new supermarket

Yeperenye shopping centre is talking to “all major supermarket chains in Australia” to find a replacement for Woolworths which is moving to the Alice Plaza in two years’ time.

Managing Director Owen Cole says this is part of a $27m redevelopment of the Aboriginal owned Yeperenye, featuring a four-level car park with more than 200 parking bays, a new loading dock as well as click-and-collect facilities.

The plan also “contemplates” serviced office space on the third level.

Mr Cole says a major planned feature is a family-friendly rooftop restaurant without a liquor licence, modelled on the Volcano chain of restaurants.

Mr Coles says it will feature kids’ play areas with “families having a good meal without the presence of liquor”.

The venue will be 22 metres above the ground, with superb views of the MacDonnell Ranges.

The new supermarket tenant “will take centre stage in the proposed redevelopment,” says Mr Cole.

“We are the number one shopping centre in Alice Springs by some distance, and we know this opportunity will be extremely attractive to major operators.”

He says Yeperenye will maintain its layout, giving shoppers the opportunity for friendly social encounters. It will continue to avoid “direct to boot” style of shopping.

Yeperenye expects to confirm the new supermarket operator within the next year, according to a media statement. Construction of the redevelopment is anticipated to be completed in Q3 2027. Woolworths will relocate to Alice Plaza at the end of its lease in February 2028.

The statement says Yeperenye Shopping Centre attracts four million customer visits annually and achieves moving annual turnover (MAT) sales of $119.7m per annum or $12,617 MAT per square metre, including the supermarket.