New app helps grocers, consumers reduce food waste

Irene Dong

7th Jul 2023

Australian app Gander has launched with the aim of combating food wastage among retailers – and saving money for grocery shoppers.

Gander, describing itself as an Australian first, connects shoppers with reduced-price foods nearing their expiration dates, offering discounts and reducing food waste in supermarkets and grocery stores.

Gander has teamed with Spano’s IGA and County Grocers to offer this sustainable solution in stores in Queensland and Victoria, making the chains the country’s first to use Gander’s solution. 

Local customers can see what is on sale in their neighbourhood supermarkets and actively participate in reducing waste in their community

“Typically, retailers have to rely on shoppers sporadically finding a markdown in store while preoccupied with their shopping. Therefore, on average, less than half of the food marked-down in stores is sold, leaving the rest to become surplus,” said Tim Brown, one of the founders of Gander Australia.

“For retailers, reduced food can cost them up to 7 per cent of their turnover. At a time when margins are being squeezed, this is revenue sitting on their shelves that local shoppers would love to buy, they just don’t know it is there.”

After being introduced in the UK in 2019, Gander has already appeared in more than 500 stores there, saving 25 million food items from being thrown out at the store.

The Gander app is available for download on iOS and Android devices.