Coles Local has arrived in Adelaide, opening its debut store at The Avenues in Stepney on October 2. It’s the 31st Coles Local nationally and marks a major milestone in the retailer’s ongoing investment in South Australia, designed to meet growing demand for locally sourced products.
Spotlight on local food
The Avenues store features more than 700 South Australian products from over 60 food and beverage producers, with 440 of them new to Coles shelves.
Shoppers can expect expanded ranges from well-known names like Beerenberg, Bickfords and Maggie Beer, as well as ten new local suppliers to Coles including: Bowlsome (fresh grab-and-go meals and frozen kids’ options), Harris Smokehouse (smoked and cured salmon and seafood), Skala Bakery (breads, pastries and cakes since 1952) and Beyond India (ready-to-enjoy meals inspired by its restaurants).
The store also offers an entertaining destination with over 100 speciality cheeses, including 82 sourced from local South Australian suppliers, including wholesaler Say Cheese.
Coles CEO Leah Weckert, who grew up in Adelaide, said the format allows the company to showcase what South Australians are most passionate about.
“We know how important local and family-owned suppliers are to South Australian customers. The Coles Local format allows us to showcase some of the very best products, introduce them to new customers, and still deliver the same great value you’d find in any Coles supermarket,” she said.
“We’re proud to partner with small businesses to bring exclusive local products to our shelves, connect South Australians with the incredible food culture in their own backyard, and help these suppliers reach new customers through our network of stores.”
The state’s Premier Peter Malinauskas welcomed the opening, saying: “South Australians are proud of the high-quality produce and products produced right here in our home state.
“It is excellent to see a national retailer recognise the keenness from their customers to get behind South Australian brands – both iconic and emerging – while acting as a launch pad for our food producers to connect with new customers nationally.”
Community connection
Coles Local Avenues will work with food rescue organisation SecondBite to donate unsold, edible food to people facing food insecurity and has partnered with Magill Little Athletics Club to support young athletes.
Skala Bakery’s Lana Dinkoudis said joining Coles Local was a proud milestone.
“This is such a proud milestone for us as a family business, which has spent more than 70 years perfecting our craft, building relationships with local customers, and staying true to the quality and authenticity our brand was built on. To now see our products on the shelf at Coles is incredibly rewarding.”
Adam Harris of Harris Smokehouse said: “There’s something pretty special about seeing our smoked salmon sitting on shelves in a national supermarket that’s gone out of its way to back local, ethical producers. We’re proud to be part of a store that reflects what South Australian food culture is all about.”
The store also features a mural by Adelaide artist Lucinda Penn, created as a result of conversations with the community and inspired by local landmarks.
Coles’ presence in South Australia dates back to 1932, with its first store in Rundle Mall. It now operates 53 stores across the state and employs more than 7,000 locals.
The new Coles Local store is open Monday to Friday 6 am – 9 pm, Saturday 6 am – 5 pm and Sunday 9 am – 5 pm.
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