General News
11 March, 2021
Terang IGA Co-Op named innovation finalist
THE redevelopment of the Terang Co-op’s Supa IGA supermarket has received state-wide recognition with a top three placing in a prestigious industry award.
THE redevelopment of the Terang Co-op’s Supa IGA supermarket has received state-wide recognition with a top three placing in a prestigious industry award.
The redevelopment was named as one of three finalists in 2021 IGA Victoria Awards of Excellence’s Retail Transformation and Innovation Award.
Co-op chief executive officer Kevin Ford said it was a rare honour for a small rural supermarket to reach the finals of this award.
“It’s great recognition to be one of the final three and to compete with much larger supermarkets,” he said.
“It’s not often that a small rural supermarket is recognised like this, especially in the transformation and innovation category.”
The two other finalists were Ryan’s Supa IGA Mt Clear and Champions Supa IGA Heathcote, which was named winner.
Apart from the award recognition, the redevelopment which cost almost $900,000 has received the tick of approval from local customers.
“It has gone really smoothly,” Mr Ford said.
“The project was managed by grocery manager Paul Bailey and each section was completed as a project on its own to minimise disruption.
“Feedback from customers is that they love it all, which is very satisfying.
“A new corporate uniform has also been introduced which complements the interior upgrade.”
The redevelopment has made shopping easier to navigate and expanded the fresh and frozen food offering.
The changes included removing three large grocery aisles from the entry of the store and opening a passage through to the deli area by using low-profile shelving, doubling the size of the meat chiller, installing new refrigeration, and slightly extending the liquor store to incorporate a larger walk-in cool room.
Mr Ford said the redevelopment was designed to improve the shopping experience and customer flow while retaining product range through a better layout.
Over recent months the Co-op has completed significant changes with the rebranding of its hardware stores in Terang and Camperdown to Mitre 10 and its CRT store to the rural store.
