Renovations near completion

Renovations at Retravision Umina are nearing completion.

The renovations have made it possible for a wider range of items to be on display as well as the introduction of many new items not previously seen on sale on the Peninsula.

These new items include side by side refrigerators, wide screen television sets, surround sound home theatre packages, 80cm screen television sets, front load washing machines, cappuccino makers and German made vacuum cleaners to name a few.

The extra space has also allowed for a doubling of the range of accessories to include optical fibre cable and universal remote control units.

Alan Hardy and wife Lynette became the owners in 2000 after Alan had worked there for 12 years.

"Ironically, most of the items that we have been able to add to our range were not even dreamt of when I first commenced working here," Alan Hardy said.

"We have added 30 per cent more display space and now I have a wide enough range of everything to be able to tell a story.

"It is now easier for customers to choose which item best suits their need and their budget.

"We still have a few more shelves and aisle dividers to install which will further enhance the store," Alan said.

According to Mr Hardy, there has been a great change in the buying habits of local residents.

"While small ticket items were the most popular in the past and still are with the elderly, there has been an increasing trend towards big ticket items of late," Alan said.

"Large screen television sets with home theatre packages have really taken off while other top of the range items have also created more interest than in the past.

"These seems to reflect a change in the available spending money now evident in the community," he said.

"At the other end of the scale, we have introduced a Start Up or Start Again pack for people who are setting up house for the first time or are doing so again after a break-up.

"In this package, we offer a refrigerator, a washing machine, a TV set, a toaster, a DVD player, a microwave oven, a kettle, an iron, a vacuum cleaner and a fry-pan," Alan said.

Allan is also the owner of Retravision Woy Woy.

Retravision Umina and Woy Woy are renowned on the Peninsula as generous benefactors supporting: the Scouts Association; Woy Woy Aged Care Hospital Auxiliary; Everglades Country Club; Ettalong, Umina and Woy Woy Bowling Clubs; local schools; rugby league, soccer and cricket clubs; Childflight; surf clubs; The Kidney Foundation; MS and other organisations.

"They are all worthy in their own right and I like to be able to help wherever I can," Mr Hardy said.

"There are still many more changes to come to the shop.

"The biggest of these will be the introduction of a full range of computers and related equipment similar to that held at the Woy Woy store," he said.

Cec Bucello, March 19