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ROADSHOW: SOUTH AUSTRALIA THE SENSATIONS OF South Australia Retail World’s Roadshow series continues to celebrate local brands and uncover innovation from different parts of the country. Here, we return to South Australia. SBy Nicholas Rider. outh Australia is home to a fine mix of retailers and a plethora of brands to match. The state’s people are often said to be extremely supportive of all things local, more so than anywhere else in Australia. In terms of retailers, Coles tells Retail World it runs campaigns highlighting SA products and produce, while ALDI states it will continue to partner with local businesses and growers. When it comes to the independents, Drakes says it is “very passionate” about local sources of produce and other goods, while Foodland sees itself as a “foundation platform” for the ecosystem of new local products. These independents boast, justifiably, about great successes in their operations. CEO Con Sciacca claims Foodland has “the highest brand equity of any independent brand in Australia”, while Drakes Director John-Paul Drake claims Drakes is now “the most advanced independent wholesaler in the country” thanks to its new high-tech distribution centre. In the following pages, Retail World shares the views, progress and achievements of these retailers as well as several of the many brands that continue to shine in SA and beyond. 26 RETAIL WORLD MAY, 2020