Introducing Auckland’s fastest-growing gifting empire

One of Auckland's fastest-growing and most popular grocery and gift delivery businesses, Kennerley Gourmet Grocery Ltd, has just acquired another business - the fourth in less than three years.

The new acquisition, online personalised cookie delivery business hello&cookie, will widen further the company's ability to offer gifts, flowers, treats and groceries for any occasion and almost any customer.

Helmed by CEO Wayne Kennerley, the group has managed to expand with remarkable growth, though it was founded in humble beginnings.

Kennerley Gourmet Grocery: surprise and delight

Kennerley and his wife, Melanie, who is the business' creative director, first started chatting about what they will do with their time when the kids leave home.

"We talked about what motivates us and what our skills are. My wife is a really generous person," Kennerley said.

"Mel loves gardening and flowers and being creative so the gifting industry attracted us right away."

As luck would have it, September 2018 saw an opportunity to buy a gourmet grocery business - Paddock to Pantry in Karaka. Without intervention, the business would have closed its doors.

But over three years, the pair have transformed it into a thriving local gourmet grocery store featuring an online component delivering flowers, gift baskets and corporate gifts nationwide.

The next addition was designing and opening The Wild Rose, a florist and gift store in Takanini in August 2019. Not only was it a business that indulged in his wife's passions, but it has also developed into a thriving online and brick-and-mortar business, with flowers bought directly from growers or the market.

Melanie Kennerley describes it as a "little bit of elegance in South Auckland".

A month later, Kennerley Gourmet Grocery Ltd made another purchase - Celebration Box. This online business had created huge demand for their custom gift boxes, and needed help with the operational side of things:

"Demand was too high, which is a great problem to have.

"We delivered the customer service experience the brand needed and today we have a Trustpilot score of 4.6 and thousands of happy customers."

A one-stop-shop for premium gifts

Their most recent purchase - hello&cookie - happened in June of this year. It's a unique online business that allows customers to add customisable text, brand imagery or even photos to cookies and have them delivered nationwide.

Just like Kennerley Gourmet Grocery's other offerings, hello&cookie has proved a huge hit with both corporate and private customers. Wayne says the group can now satisfy any gifting customer for any occasion:

"Our brands all work together to cover different segments of the market and different customers.

"For example, Celebration Box is a younger brand so it's on TikTok, whereas Paddock to Pantry has a more local, gourmet feel to appeal to international customers, corporates and foodies," Kennerley says.

The idea is that no matter who you're buying for, what they're into, or what your relationship may be, these four businesses can supply you with a gift that'll put a smile on their dial. Kennerley says it's all about making gifting easy.

"We're a one-stop shop, and, unlike most other gift delivery services, you can pick a date for delivery. All our brands also include superfast same day or overnight delivery nationwide."

Doing good in the hood

When they started their gift businesses, the Kennerleys wanted to do more than just turn a profit. It was an opportunity to be creative, to bring joy and to give a little back.

"We've recently announced our partnership with Life Education and this week we're proud to announce Celebration Box is the named sponsor for the Netball NZ U18 Champs being held in Rotorua".

While Kennerley loves making a positive difference, he admits that, when it comes to gifting, he finds it hard to come up with ideas:

"I can't get my wife - the florist - flowers can I? How do you surprise and delight someone who's making bespoke gifts every day?"

If you're in the same basket and struggling to find something special for a loved one, lucky for you there's an easy solution. Check out Wayne and Melanie Kennerley's four gourmet gifting and grocery businesses below and order today.

• hello&cookie - for finding that perfect customisable cookie gift online.
• Paddock to Pantry - specialising in premium gift baskets and corporate gifts available online, or visit their physical store on Linwood Road, Karaka.
• The Wild Rose - a great value florist delivering fresh flowers, dried flowers, gift boxes and more seven days a week, or visit their physical store at 254 Great South Road, Takanini.
• Celebration Box - Choose from a range of gift boxes, flowers or sweet treats for any occasion that deserves a celebration.