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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW and Sydney since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown. Romeo’s currently has 40 stores and five new sites in the pipeline, and we’re excited with the upcoming launch of our new CBD concept stores. These are modelled against the European Foodhall concept, supported by commercial kitchens to deliver dine-in or take-home meals made fresh on site. Other exciting offers will include in-store liquor, florist, salumi bar café, European deli, fresh nut bar, seafood, Italian bakery, sushi, cooked pizza and much more. We believe that our new-concept store will be a game changer for our business, and it will be well received by our customers and suppliers. Where do you see the grocery industry and recovery over the next year? The grocery industry will maintain its growth over the next 12 months. We predicted that supermarkets would hold half of the growth, which they’ve been experiencing. We’ve seen customers cooking at home more than ever. With restrictions still impacting the hospitality industry, consumers cooking and entertaining at home is still the most suitable option. In response to this, retailers are still working with suppliers to cater for customer needs. We’ll see supply improving as manufacturing catches up with demand, while imported foods lag time is also shortened. Panic buying has slowed down and customer purchasing behaviour has been consistent. As much as panic buying has settled, Christmas and the summer period may be the best festive season in years for the supermarket industry, as most will be celebrating at home. One key challenge that we’ve experienced at Romeo’s is online shopping growing rapidly. The challenge has been meeting customers’ orders during Covid. There were a lot of ‘out of stocks’, resulting in the online demand not being met. With panic buying slowing down, it’s good to see the continued growth of online shopping. ROMEO’S DOONSIDE SUPA VALU In February this year, a major transformation and renovation project began at Romeo’s value driven supermarket, with the Doonside store in Sydney’s west being rebranded from SUPA IGA to SUPA VALU. The store went through a total makeover, reinvesting in fresh food departments with new offers, extensive ranging, in-house scratch bakery, full- line deli offer and more. To compliment the exciting fresh food offer, Romeo’s has matched an aggressive promotional program, which has been widely accepted by the community. Romeo’s believes that the customer’s perception of value is being raised as they welcome competitive pricing and a consistent value-for-money offer. Although the launch was delayed due to Covid-19, the new Doonside SUPA VALU store was scheduled to be officially unveiled on 14 October. OCT, 2020 RETAIL WORLD 19