A man who attempted to rob a Mount Maunganui store at knife-point has been jailed for three years and three months.

Connor Cummerfield pleaded guilty to one charge of assault with intent to rob when he appeared in Tauranga District Court on August 7.

Police near the scene of the attempted armed robbery in Mount Maunganui. Photo: File.

The 19-year-old was arrested after he tried to hold-up the Souvenir Store on Maunganui Road at around 2.30pm on July 22 with a large serrated bread knife.

The 77-year-old shopkeeper was left shaken by the incident.

Following the attempted robbery, Cummerfield was seen running to a vehicle which was parked in nearby Prince Avenue. He drove off a short time later.

At the time of the offending, Detective Sergeant Alan Kingsbury says it appeared the man had been in the souvenir store for about 30 minutes prior to the attempted robbery and it was possible he had been in other shops in the area as well.

Cummerfield was sentenced in Tauranga District Court today when he appeared via audio visual link.