An independent supermarket group, a company promoting its premium Australian alcohol-removed wines, and a gourmet food brand are fine examples of diverse NSW businesses succeeding through challenging times with strong belief in the value of their offer and service.
Khan do attitude: locals helping locals
The Khan’s supermarket group comprises stores at Bargo, Burgess, Cobar, Picton, Wakeley, Nyngan, Gerringong, Bourke, Coonamble and – the first to open, in 1981 – Lightning Ridge.
In 40 years, of course, the group has undergone many changes, especially during the pandemic affected 2020s.
“The Khan’s team worked tirelessly during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the group’s Marketing Manager Brooke Bowser says.
“Our online store and delivery service became the focus of our business.”
She affirms that the NSW market for local products is strong and customer satisfaction with them is growing fast.
“We have amazing entrepreneurs combined with sustaining local products that will remain family favourites in the future,” Ms Bowser says, adding that customers every day are requesting more and more local products.
Looking ahead, she says the group is investing more than $1 million in upgrading the Lightning Ridge store, which is “large and modern” and represents “a fantastic offer for regional NSW”.
Edenvale hones in on health and wellness 
Premium Australian alcohol-removed wine company Edenvale believes it’s having a significant impact on the NSW beverage category.
“While the last 12 months have been challenging, we’ve seen great growth for our brand,” Edenvale National Business Manager Paul Andrade says.
“This has been particularly in new retail and distribution channels, as well as export distribution. There’s been increased brand awareness as we’ve solidified our place as a market leader in Australia.
In terms of Edenvale’s positive impact on the NSW market, Mr Andrade points to the ability of its supply chain to reach a broader range of diverse retailers, which “means we’ve been able to reach consumers that our traditional retailers haven’t been able to reach before”
“This has enabled our expansion and growth, and we’ve also seen online growth as we gain greater brand exposure and awareness across NSW,” he says.
Random Harvest reaps the reward 
Throughout NSW, high-quality produce and ingredients are available for brands to capitalise on. Random Harvest is not only taking advantage of this, but doing so very successfully, according to Managing Director Matthew Jinks.
“Our sales have more than doubled over the past 12 months,” he says.
He points to the great quality and flavours that Australian made products provide shoppers.
“Our independent retailers love this and get right behind the brand.
“Our products are made in small batches using the finest ingredients, and all have a unique provenance story. For example, our Australian Truffle Oil contains the finest extra virgin olive oil from the Hunter Valley combined with real truffles from Tasmania.”
There’s no slowdown coming anytime soon for Random Harvest.
Read more on the NSW market in The Australian Roadshow feature in the July issue of Retail World.