Engen Polo Pony Convenience Centre in Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, re-opens its doors to the public tomorrow, after a six-month upgrade to bring customers an ultra-hip new take on convenience – including a brand-new Woolworths Foodstop.

The new-look Engen 1-Plus offers customers a diverse range of offerings, including 24/7 access to Woolworths Foodstop fare, juicy burgers from Steers, fresh treats from Corner Bakery, an in-store FNB ATM, and of course the iconic Engen Quickshop.

Father and son team Frank and Mark Jason assure customers they’ll find the same familiar faces when visiting – along with about 35 new employees to staff the new franchises.
Expect more

“But the new complex is worlds apart from the previous ‘farm stall’ environment,” says Frank. “The new building is double story, has a staff training facility and uses the latest and greatest in forecourt and retail technology.”

“The face of Shongweni and Assegay has changed so much over the years that the renovation was long overdue,” he adds. “I am really chuffed to be able to welcome our customers back to a world-class facility. This site is such a landmark that people absolutely expect to buy their daily essentials and refuel here. Being closed for this long has had a big impact on locals, so we’re dying to be back and to see their reaction to what we’ve got for them.”

“The fantastic thing is, the store has price parity with the Woolworths stores that customers are used to; eliminating the need to face the traffic congestion of Hillcrest.”

The partnership between Engen and Woolworths in particular holds much excitement. The tie-up has shown fantastic growth nationally, with other fuel brands playing ‘catch up’ with their own strategic partnerships – not an enviable task, considering both are market leaders in their own right.

The Woolies Foodstop will stock over 900 national top-selling Woolworths lines. “Obviously they’re not as extensive as your local Woolies, but customers will find enough deliciousness to trolley-shop,” says Frank Jason, Polo Pony’s veteran. “The fantastic thing is, the store has price parity with the Woolworths stores that customers are used to, eliminating the need to face the traffic congestion of Hillcrest.”

The in-store Steers will be welcomed with open arms by the large residential community, offering family favourites like hand-cut fresh potato chips and delicious flame grilled burgers. On offer for early risers will be the legendary breakfast in pita. In addition, the store is embracing the new flame-grilled chicken menu – fairly new to Steers, but proving a huge hit with families looking for a healthy meal to share.

A Corner Bakery will give caffeine junkies their daily shot in the arm with a freshly brewed “bean to cup” Equatorial Coffee, and all the delicious confectionery associated with this familiar brand. Legendary Polo Pony pies will continue to be baked hourly, and deli-style baguettes will complement an extensive pastry range.

Green conscience
Polo Pony Convenience Centre has been built with an environmental conscience, using low-energy lighting and refrigeration, heat pumps and water harvesting from six Jo-Jo tanks. Forecourt lighting will dim automatically during quiet periods and brighten only when approaching cars are detected. A high-capacity generator will supply the entire site with power in times of electricity outages.

Dumisani Bengu, Retail Business Manager for Engen Sales and Marketing, says: “We are proud to bring our customers an exciting package in partnership with the Jasons and great brands like Woolworths, Steers and Corner Bakery. Together we deliver a consistently excellent offering to meet the diverse needs of our customers.”

General Manager of Engen Sales and Marketing, Joe Mahlo, says Engen’s cutting-edge convenience offering is giving Engen customer equity far above its competitors.

“Our efforts to deliver on our brand promise have been acknowledged consistently over the last few years. We retained our ranking as the

‘Coolest Petroleum Brand’ for the fourth successive year in the Sunday Times Generation Next youth survey, which tracks youth consumer preferences and behaviour, as well as the Sunday Times Top Brand award for the fourth consecutive year.”

Please join the team at Polo Pony Convenience Centre at their grand opening on November 19th at noon to enjoy free giveaways and witness for yourself the fantastic offering that they will bring to the community of the upper Highway.