Daylesford’s long-standing Coles supermarket has been relaunched this week with a fresh layout and an expanded range, marking the first time the Coles Local format has opened in a regional town.
The store, at the corner of Albert and Bridport Streets, reopened on Thursday with additional grocery aisles, an expanded meat selection and a broader variety of specialty products aimed at everyday shopping as well as the needs of visitors to the area.
Coles Local is a smaller, neighbourhood-oriented version of the company’s larger supermarkets, first introduced in the Melbourne suburb of Surrey Hills in 2018. There are now more than 30 Coles Local stores across several states, offering a mix of everyday essentials and locally relevant products, often including artwork and other design features tailored to their communities. Wikipedia
The Daylesford store’s revamp has created 16 new jobs and includes features such as a self-serve bakery and a cheese bar with a wide selection of varieties. Victorian producers are highlighted throughout the store, with products from local and regional suppliers available alongside national brands.
Store manager Naome McDougall, who has worked at Coles for more than 20 years and grew up in country Victoria, said the changes were informed by local feedback.
“Customers told us they wanted more choice close to home and that’s exactly what we’ve delivered in this store with a thoughtfully selected range of everyday essentials and specialty items,” she said. “We now offer four more grocery aisles, an expanded meat selection, and a range of premium products, from artisan sourdough to specialty cheeses and organic pizzas, to better serve our community and visitors.”
Coles is one of Australia’s major supermarkets, operating more than 860 stores nationally as part of the publicly listed Coles Group. The company began as a single store in Melbourne’s Collingwood in 1914 and has grown into a network that includes full-size supermarkets, smaller Coles Local outlets, an online shopping service and affiliated liquor retailers. It remains one of the country’s largest grocery retailers alongside its main competitor Woolworths. Wikipedia+1
In addition to retail operations, Coles runs community programs including a partnership with SecondBite, which redistributes quality unsold food to charities. At Daylesford, the store has committed to donating surplus food and supporting local organisations such as the Daylesford Football Netball Club.
The store is open daily from 7am to 9pm, and adjacent free parking and Click & Collect services are available for customers.
This article is based on a media release from Coles.
