Independent grocers beating the supermarkets at their own game

We hear that smaller independent stores like Zone Fresh and Fresh on Melbourne are whipping Coles and Woolies' butts at the fresh produce game. QBR says that:

• There's been a rise of between 5 and 7% in shoppers using independent fresh fruit and vegetable retailers, seafood, butchers and bakeries since 2005


• Attendance at the Brisbane Markets (Rocklea) is up, to the value of an extra $130 million in the last financial year


• "the modern Australian consumer" is now able and willing to shop around for huigh-quality fresh produce


• We're spending 30% of our grocery money on fresh produce


• Shoppers are getting smarter: looking for better service and quality and wanting to connect with the community


• There's been a shift in consumer thinking, away from mass retail and towards smaller speciality stores


• Smaller operators aren't trying to compete with the supermarkets, but to provide a superior and alternative service. They try to match on value, but not on price (eg: prices may be higher at independents, but they go on special by the same percentage as everywhere else)


• The Fresh On store in Melbourne St may soon expand to Bulimba and Paddington


• Smaller retailers can do more for customers (like ordering stuff in specially, preparing food to order, and giving knowledgeable advice) than the supermarkets can, and customers thrive on this personalised service
  

Basically, it's good news for us and too bad, so sad, for the supermarkets. Gratifying to read that our efforts to shop locally and independently are finally paying off... and that we really are getting better gear than we were getting at Coles. Very happy to pay a few dollars more when I know that the money goes more directly to the person who grew it... and it's really wonderful to chat and connect while buying. Possibly more evidence of the swing back to nesting, but that's no bad thing! See you at the markets!