IGA’s flagship Local Grocer store at Epping, NSW, is using data, technology, and old school customer interaction to curate a bespoke offering for its local community.
Store owners Antoine and Richard Rizk surveyed residents through a CBUS app that connects local residents with local businesses in the development and have also conducted focus groups every week in the lead up to the store opening on 21 October, to ensure the small format supermarket stocks products that the locals want.
The Epping store is the latest to open under IGA’s Local Grocer banner; the biggest retail brand rollout in Australia this year with close to 400 supermarkets opening with the IGA Local Grocer name. “No two of these independently owned stores across the country are the same, just like the communities they serve, and each reflect the wants and needs of their local shoppers, with agility and local tailoring a core of everything they do.”
The Mint Fresh IGA Local Grocer stocks everything you need for a full grocery shop including meals to go, fresh cut cheese, in store made salads and bakery items, liquor and much more. It also has a large Asian offering as requested by locals, including frozen products, grocery items and a massive focus on fresh produce.
Mint Fresh IGA Local Grocer owner Richard Rizk says: “Being independently owned, we’ve listened to the needs of our community which is reflected throughout our store, from our products, fit out and all the way through to our staff members. It’s our promise to stock everyday products at competitive prices, a range of locally sourced goods and remain an important part of the local community by offering the best in customer service that only a local owner can provide.
“We’ve even chosen not to install self-service checkouts so that we can truly get to know our local shoppers.”
“Opening week will see us have a range of great specials, everyday low prices and shoppers have a chance to spin and win instant prizes to help celebrate our opening. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to the store, so please come and say hi!”
Metcash Food GM Retail Danielle Jenkinson says: “IGA’s Local Grocer offering has the needs of local communities across Australia at its core. It’s these stores, run by locals, for locals that really know their shoppers, offering a relevant range tailored for shoppers who buy as they need.
“Shopper research and insights have been used to inform the new format IGA Local Grocer via surveys undertaken with 5,000 households and data analysed from over 2.8 million Australian shopping trips,” Ms Jenkinson said.
“These insights, along with the additional data that Antoine and Richard have gathered from their local Epping community have been used to develop this new, highly personalised store, taking IGA’s tailored offer one step further by providing the community with the right range, promotions, and experiences to cater to even more shoppers.”
The IGA Epping store opens on Friday, 21 October 2022.
