Australians have always been supportive of their local communities, but Datamonitor research has found that this desire has intensified over the past 12 months. Local products are shaping up to be a key source of growth for food and drink companies in 2011. It is well known that Australian consumers want to buy Australian. Most recently a survey (conducted by Roy Morgan Research) of almost 19,000 people found that 90% prefer to buy products Made in Australia.  Now it seems that we do not just want... ...Read more »

Woolworths and the Tasmanian Government yesterday launched a new ‘Tassie Grown’ initiative to identify Tasmanian-grown produce on local supermarket shelves. Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Bryan Green, said the move was a boost for Tasmanian farmers, and encouraged other retailers to follow suit. “Shoppers will be able to quickly identify locally grown food which is a great opportunity to show support for Tasmanian producers,” he said. “There is strong demand... ...Read more »

Australian supermarkets are adopting various strategies to tap into the growing trend to ‘go local’. Independent grocery network IGA recently launched an advertising campaign emphasizing the local individualism of each of its 1,000 independent stores. The launch came days after Woolworths announced it would clearly label its range of Tasmanian produce. “Supermarkets are increasingly tapping into the ‘local’ trend, driven by consumers’ desire to support and feel... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest independent grocery network, IGA, has launched a new campaign on 25 July giving a voice to its customers from stores across the nation.Focusing on the global trend towards localisation and IGA’s advantage of being able to tailor each store specifically to its local area, the campaign titled ‘How the locals like it’ uses real local store owners and community members to convey the message that IGA is listening to its customers. “Each store has been built... ...Read more »

Western Australian Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today unveiled the new Buy West Eat Best campaign, with the support of local food producers. The campaign, which includes television and newspaper advertisments, encourages Western Australian consumers to buy products grown, farmed, fished or produced in WA by looking for the Buy West Eat Best logo on packaging.  More than 90 companies are part of the program, which is a collaboration of growers, producers, manufacturers, retailers and... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has accepted court enforceable undertakings from Austar Port Lincoln Pty Ltd trading as Austar Seafood Warehouse regarding misleading claims made about the source of some of its seafood.Austar published advertisements in the Port Lincoln Times between March and August 2009 which stated that its seafood was “100% Port Lincoln Product” and “local seafood”. Australian consumers often prefer to buy locally grown or made... ...Read more »

The Federal Government’s Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, has announced a funding program for local governments to foster healthier lifestyles. The move is in line with preventative health measures. These measures include dietary education programs that are aimed at reducing the prevalence of obesity. Minister Roxon said, “The Rudd Government knows that the cost of inaction on chronic disease is too high. We know that cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and diabetes... ...Read more »

The Chief Executive of the UK’s largest supermarket operator, Tesco, has given a message of hope for the future of retailers provided they adhere to the simple philosophy of reacting to the desires of customers rather than telling them what they want. “Now, more than ever, we must be the consumer’s champion. Deliver for the customer, and you will survive,” Sir Terry Leahy said in a speech at the British Retail Consortium’s Annual Conference last week. “Yes –... ...Read more »