Loading ...PORTLAND’S rebuilt IGA supermarket will be more customer-friendly and energy efficient than ever before, but the improvements are coming at a hefty cost.
Set to re-open in January after April’s disastrous fire, Daly’s IGA was only insured for its replacement value. The upgrades have required “a significant re-investment” from owners Michael and Peter Daly, according to store manager Nathan Lovell.
When the store reopens early next year, customers will notice a number of new features, many of which were suggested by IGA’s 700 or so local ‘friends’ on Facebook, he said.
“We used Facebook to ask customers what products or lines they wanted, and we’ve been chasing up suppliers ever since,” Mr Lovell said.
“It’s proved to be a great way of communicating with people who have loyally supported us.”
Among the additions, he noted, would be a range of gluten-free products. New products for babies and their mums will also be offered for the first time.
As well, Mr Lovell promised to add an express check-out lane dedicated to shoppers wanting to buy just a few items.
When the old IGA was gutted by an early morning fire sparked by an electrical fault, estimates of the cost of rebuilding were just over $3 million. It’s understood that figure has blown out by a further $2 million, but some of that spending will result in energy efficiency and long-term cost savings for IGA.
Read more in Friday’s Portland Observer.
FRIDGE units that are highly energy-efficient will be a major new feature of the refurbished Daly’s IGA supermarket, now set for reopening in January.
Print 
PDF
