EPIC (Events Promotion Initiatives and Community) is a recent initiative developed by a group of local business people passionate about the success of our retail community. EPIC aims to deliver on a vision shared by many Whakatāne organisations, groups and residents of a re‐energised and revitalised Whakatāne town centre that attracts more customers, who stay longer – both online and offline - and spend more.

EPIC’s role is to organise promotions, events and other initiatives that contribute to making our town centre more attractive, interesting and inviting. We want our CBD to be a great place for shoppers, visitors and the community as a whole to spend quality time connecting with each other. 

EPIC is also supporting locals to move their businesses online via the Whakatāne Virtual Mall - NZ’s first regional online mall experience where shoppers use one cart and make just one payment to shop at any of the CBD stores. We aim to maximise sales for our members by providing assistance with the e-commerce and marketing aspects of online retail, and we hope to allow easy ordering and fulfilment for those in the community who need it or who prefer to do their shopping virtually, for example the elderly or families with young children.