IGA stores nationwide are supporting Special Olympics Australia this May with a month-long promotion where one customer will win a trip to Athens, Greece for the 2011 Special Olympics in June. IGA first partnered with Special Olympics Australia in 2001 to launch a range of Special Olympics branded products, to increase awareness of the organisation and raise much needed funds to support Special Olympics Australia growing into new communities across the country. The IGA Signature range gives 2c back... ...Read more »

The Roy Morgan February Supermarket Satisfaction Report has shown an underwhelming month of satisfaction results at all four of the major supermarkets, with none showing an increase. Aldi’s impressive run of recent increases in customer satisfaction was put on hold and Woolworth’s satisfaction has stabilised after three consecutive months of decline. However, both Coles and IGA lost ground after their recent notable satisfaction gains. Among Aldi customers, 94.5% were satisfied, followed by IGA... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has reportedly abandoned one of the two potential buyers of grocery chain Franklins it nominated in its court bid to block Metcash from buying the retailer. According to The Sydney Morning Herald yesterday (7 April), The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission no longer puts forward Spar International’s Australian business as a competitive alternative owner of Franklins. The ACCC told the court that it had abandoned its submissions that... ...Read more »

SPAR Australia has announced that since 1st December 2010, it has converted 11 Metcash supplied stores to the group. SPAR also announced that it is currently in negotiations with “a large number of independent retailers who are looking for a better service option and making the switch from their current supplier.” The latest of these conversions are 7 IGA stores in South-East Queensland, belonging to Keith and Margaret Simpson. Simpson said he felt his business will benefit from the better... ...Read more »

Australia’s first smart supermarket trolley, VIP Trolley, will roll out at supermarket chain Ritchie’s head office store in Carrum Downs on February 1, adding to the two stores already equipped with the technology at Delahey in Victoria and Hawker in the ACT. The smart trolleys are equipped with a control pad, video display, barcode scanner and locating technology similar to a GPS, allowing the trolley to know where in the store it is at all times. Customers can access a pre-planned shopping... ...Read more »

Coles and Woolworths supermarkets have been forced to close around Queensland after panicked customers descended on shops looking to stock up on essentials. Woolworths spokesperson Clare Buchanan told the Australian that floodwaters and staff shortages had forced the closure of nine Woolworths supermarkets in Brisbane and Ipswich, along with several Big W stores, 30 Dick Smith stores, 50 BWS and Dan Murphy liquor outlets and 10 Caltex petrol stations. In Ipswich, the Fernvale, Ipswich Riverlink,... ...Read more »

According to the latest Roy Morgan Supermarket Customer Satisfaction figures, customer satisfaction among IGA shoppers has grown by a full percentage point, bringing the independent retail group firmly into second place behind consistent front-runner Aldi. Among Aldi customers, 90.5% were satisfied, followed by IGA (89.5%), Woolworths (87.5%) and then Coles (85.5%) for the 6 month’s average to October 2010. IGA fell into last place in April last year, with satisfaction around 84%, but customer... ...Read more »

As Jane McGrath Day kicks off at the SCG today, independent grocers IGA are preparing to sell special packs of Bakers Oven Raspberry Lamington Fingers to support her charity, the McGrath Foundation. 30c from each pack of lamingtons sold between 10 January and 6 February 2011, will help raise money to support women with breast cancer and their families. The funds raised from the sale of the Bakers Oven Raspberry Lamington Fingers will go towards the placement of McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities... ...Read more »

IGA supermarkets in Victoria have raised $4,999,590 in funds this year through its IGA Community Chest and associated programs.  These much needed funds will benefit three charities, not-for-profit organisations and community groups throughout the state. The three major beneficiaries are Country Fire Authority, Run For The Kids and the Reach Foundation. This year also saw the IGA Community Chest and associated programs reach an impressive $8,108,412.92 million in funds raised through IGA stores... ...Read more »

Independent grocers IGA will donate 30c from every pack of Bakers Oven Raspberry Lamington Fingers sold from 10 January to 6 February 2010 to help raise money for the McGrath Foundation. The funds raised from the sale of the Bakers Oven Raspberry Lamington Fingers will go towards the placement of McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right around Australia and increasing breast awareness in younger women. There are currently 55 McGrath Breast Care Nurses located in areas as far reaching as Hervey... ...Read more »