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SPAR Blackbutt In Queensland’s South Burnett region, north of the Darling Downs, the SPAR Blackbutt store is owned and operated by Nick and Trinette Holman. The 500sqm store holds more than 11,500 SKUs and promotes its “superb” fresh produce, full-service deli, “quality meat” delivered fresh daily, “great” grocery range and “strong” dairy, frozen and general merchandise ranges, ensuring the community can source all their supermarket needs locally. SPAR’s approach in terms of forward thinking is echoed here, for example with speciality lines in the baby category, which makes for a point of difference. SPAR Blackbutt highlights the SPAR commitment to keep up with the times and exceed in areas by going above and beyond. What also set the store apart, the owners say, are its “fabulous” customer service, friendliness of the staff, inviting atmosphere and “fantastic” prices. The store sources fresh meat from a local butcher (Frohlies Meats) at Yarraman, and some fresh produce, including avocados, garlic and watermelon, from local growers, enhancing the community feeling and spirit. The retailer works with multiple suppliers on a regular basis, providing support through SPAR campaigns, for example with the Cadbury’s ‘Paint your store purple’ promotion. Nick Holman says he enjoys talking to customers, savouring the community spirit generated within the store. He admits to getting a kick out of merchandising displays in servicing the needs of his community. “You get a good sense of achievement out of retail when you get it right,” he said. “And when you get it wrong, you have to rethink until you get it right. The reason we’re doing well is that we do the basics: tie up specials, build big displays, show value, and when we see an opportunity, we take it.” EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW SPAR SOUTHTOWN The Southtown Shopping Centre in Toowoomba, in Queensland’s Darling Downs, includes the 400sqm SPAR Southtown, locally owned and operated by John Wilson and his family. The Wilsons have owned SPAR Southtown for more than 30 years, as well as owning other supermarkets in the region. The family prides itself on understanding and supporting the store’s customers, helping to underpin the local community and assisting several local associations. The family regards itself as part of the foundations of this community. John Wilson saw the need to keep up with the times, reinvesting in his store to better service his local customers while providing new ranges to cater for the changing population in this area. The shopping centre underwent major refurbishment over the six months to December 2018. This included a significant revamp of the SPAR store, with upgrades to flooring, lighting and refrigeration, plus a new deli and extended aisles. “We’ve listened to our customers about what they want,” Mr Wilson said. This has resulted in range expansion, with thousands of new SKUs added across the store. SPAR Southtown boasts that it sets itself apart from the competition by offering “outstanding” customer service, home-style meals and taking an interest in providing quality, service and good prices to its community. “Customer interaction is key,” Mr Wilson said. “We’re a family-run business and we treat our staff and customers like family.” The retailer supports several local suppliers, for example sourcing fresh produce, juice and bakery products from local growers/manufacturers. SEP, 2020 RETAIL WORLD 15