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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
TASMANIA
Focus on KING ISLAND
King Island is an island in Bass Strait. It is the largest of three islands known as the New Year Group, and the second-largest island in Bass Strait. The island’s population at the 2016 census was 1,585 people, up from 1,566 in 2011. Wikipedia
Currie, the largest town and administrative centre, is situated on the west coast of the island. Foodworks Currie and IGA Currie independent supermarkets provide groceries & essential goods for the King Island community.
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Located in the centre of Currie, Rosemary Hallett, who is a partowner of this vibrant store, said that this store has been trading for more than 40 years. Rosemary came to KI from NZ in 1985 for three years to be involved with share farming, and she has been a KI resident ever since. 20 years ago, Rosemary began in the supermarket with then-owner Duncan McKenzie and became a partner 14 years ago. The store is 300 square metres in size and stocks over 5000 SKUs to satisfy the demand of their customers. The store is sparkingly clean, well lit and has been recently upgraded in the refrigeration and freezer departments. There are 13 freezer doors and 14 chiller doors packed with a deep range of food products.
Rosemary Hallet (4th from the right) with FoodWorks staff members.
The staff are very friendly and helpful. This full-service supermarket – services its customers through its fresh produce dept, meat dept, large delicatessen with ‘meals to go’, salads and dry groceries. There are many locally sourced fresh and gourmet products, including beautiful cheeses, locally grown meat and of course, magnificent crayfish. 30% of total store sales are fresh products, with
the store being famous for its fresh fish, oysters and rock lobsters. Strongly community-minded, Rosemary is Chair of the King Island Chamber of Commerce, set up the local Breakfast Club and is Chair of the Currie Cargo Group which constantly reviews the fairness of freight charges for goods being shipped from the mainland. Given the location of KI, Foodworks Currie receives food and grocery stocks from the mainland once a week by boat. There are many risks involved with ordering and delivering groceries and general merchandise depending upon product availability and logistics capability.
13 freezer doors and 14 chiller doors are kept packed with a huge range of products.
mga.asn.au | May 2021 | Edition 3
Rosemary mentioned that the demographics of KI are changing
