Retailer Profile
A good reason to shop local Bill Davidson, Owner of Fleet Street Epping under the Independent Liquor Group banner, describes how he has utilised good products, good value and good service to give the community the best reasons to shop local.
In the suburb of Epping in Sydney’s north-
products in my neighbourhood. If you put
active digital presence for the store, utilising
west, the local community enjoys a fresh
that back in the community, what I’ve seen
ILG’s systems but also social media and
taste of premium retail with a relatively new
is that the locals come down and treat this
external platforms to boost awareness and
store under the Independent Liquor Group’s
place like theirs,” Davidson explained.
online abilities, again to suit the needs of the
(ILG) Fleet Street banner.
“Whatever business you’re running,
local customer.
Owner of this store is Bill Davidson, who
there’s three cornerstones to what you’ve got
But as Davidson pointed out, it’s not
actually has a professional background in
to provide - good product, at good value,
solely customer needs that are met with
the media but wanted to get back to his roots
with good service.”
this philosophy about delivering the best.
in liquor - he grew up close-by the industry
There are several components to
He has found this to be super important for
Davidson’s philosophy to deliver on these
maintaining relationships of success with
What Davidson set out to achieve with
cornerstones and keep the community
suppliers too.
Fleet Street Epping was something stylish
feeling welcome and satisfied with Fleet
“A better looking shop brought a better
that really fit into the local neighbourhood
Street Epping. One core part of this has been
looking product with a stronger relationship
and reflected the tastes of the community.
to keep things fresh and new in the product
from our suppliers… If you can find suppliers
He started this endeavour on the site of
offering, searching for products that fit the
that are on the same path as you, then you’ll
another liquor store, overhauling the
needs of the local clientele.
see growth in your business. I’ve found that
in his family’s large country hotel.
philosophy, outlook and offering of the
“We’ve increased craft, we’ve increased
with about 20 suppliers which I treat as
shop, while also revolutionising the fit out
wine and we’ve increased spirits, all at a
partners, not just suppliers,” Davidson said.
and branding with the help of ILG. The end
price point that suits our neighbourhood
Independent retailers who nail all these
result is unrecognisable to what it once was,
and beyond, and everything has grown
elements to their business will be the most
and this renovation is what Davidson has
exponentially from there. We don’t specialise
successful, according to Davidson. Consumers
described as “the most successful thing” that
in anything, we just specialise in finding the
already want to support local businesses, but
has ever happened to the store.
type of product that the neighbourhood
they won’t if they aren’t getting a good product,
wants to buy,” Davidson said.
good value and/or good service.
“I’m a local community bottle shop, I’m not trying to be a major retailer. I’m not a ‘big
The thirst for a new, interesting and fun
He said: “You can’t just expect people to
beer barn’ on a major road, I’m a community
outlook also extends past the product range
shop local, you’ve got to give them a reason
based liquor store that’s providing good
for the business too. Davidson maintains an
to shop local.”
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April 2022 | 27
