The General Store expands beyond Eastern Seaboard

Internet Retailing

10th May 2017

Online grocery alternative The General Store has launched in Western Australia, marking the next stage of a planned national rollout.

The online-only supermarket from Aussie Farmers Direct carries thousands of popular Australian grocery brands, including various brands from businesses based in Western Australia, such as  Anchor Foods.

“Offering an additional distribution channel for local businesses and giving them priority over imported products – which often out-price them on supermarket shelves – means we’re able to support local trade and help promote their business,” Aussie Farmers Direct CEO Brendan Shaw said.

“We’ve also extended this ability to support local businesses to the Aussie Farmers Direct range. For the first time, customers can now select produce that has been made or grown in Western Australia via a dedicated WA category within our online store.”

The online supermarket is available through the existing Aussie Farmers Direct website in Victoria, NSW, Queensland and now Western Australia.

According to Shaw, it offers shoppers a genuine alternative to the major supermarkets, with low prices, regular specials and ‘bulk buys’ providing real value to consumers.

“Customers only have to visit one website to add fresh quality produce and now their favourite grocery brands to one shopping basket – and receive a convenient doorstep delivery,” he said.

Price promise

The General Store has also introduced a Price Promise, saving customers time and money in finding their favourite products at great prices.

“We’ve done the hard work for our customers with our Price Promise. Each week we compare the online prices of hundreds of products from major supermarkets and match their lowest online prices,” Shaw said.

(The Price Promise doesn’t apply to in-store pricing and promotions.)

Aussie Farmers Direct also has no minimum spend threshold or delivery fees on all but the smallest orders.

“It is no surprise customers are moving across to us,” he said.

‘Australia-first’ product rage

The General Store also remains true to the strong social purpose behind Aussie Farmers Direct, offering customers much greater transparency about the origin of products sold.

“Sadly, many packaged groceries are no longer made in Australia from Australian ingredients, but they are the necessities we all need to buy,” Shaw said.

“We want to make it easy for customers to make informed purchasing decisions. From corn flakes to canned soup and toilet tissue to toothpaste, the ‘Australian-ness’ of all products sold in The General Store is clear, and in our aisles you can always sort by ‘Australian first’.”

Where the company has no choice but to stock imported products, it donates 10 per cent of the profits to the Aussie Farmers Foundation, which supports struggling rural communities.

Shaw said thousands of shoppers are now getting all their fresh produce and grocery lines delivered to their door via their local Aussie Farmers Direct franchisee.