Ritchies Supa IGA Dromana adds top gong to their trolley after big win at Oscars of retail

Lucy Callander,
February 27, 2019
Mornington Peninsula Leader
A sleepy Mornington Peninsula town has put the ‘super’ into supermarket, with its IGA named the global chain’s best at an international award ceremony.
Ritchies Supa IGA Dromana took out the title of International Retailer of the Year at the IGA Global Awards in San Diego, USA, on the weekend.
An international cheese bar and sushi kiosk were just some of the in-store features to wow the judges.
The win followed the innovative supermarket scooping the pool at the 2018 national awards, when it took out National Retailer of the Year, Supa IGA Store of the Year, Supa IGA Bakery Department of the Year and Retail Transformation and Innovation Award.
Ritchies Group chief executive Fred Harrison said the Dromana centre had been designed around customer needs.
Ritchies Supa IGA Dromana sells produce from local growers.
“The team has worked really hard to build great relationships with our local community and our suppliers and stocks considerable ranges from local growers and producers,” Mr Harrison said.
Mr Harrison said one of the main points of difference was Ritchies exclusive ranges and hard to find specialty items.
The supermarket has a large Mediterranean section, international cheese bar, seafood display and sushi kiosk, Himalayan salt wall and meat dry ageing room.
“As an independent supermarket we are better placed than many, to tailor our fresh offerings and provide unique grocery items,” Mr Harrison said.
He said a loyal, hard working team and supportive community had made the awards possible.
The Ritchies group has been operating in Australia for almost 150 years and is the nation’s largest independent supermarket and liquor retailer.