Online shopping and home delivery services planned
Narrandera’s second supermarket, IGA Narrandera +Liquor opened for business in August with a minimum of fanfare due to Covid-related restrictions but they are now forging ahead with plans to expand services and products.
The Narrandera IGA is owned by the Parekh Group, a family business in West Wyalong which operates other supermarkets in regional towns in NSW.
Operating at the site of the former IGA at 30-40 East St, the building has undergone major renovations, with new flooring, lighting, ceiling, fit-outs, equipment and signage.
The supermarket’s exterior has been given a facelift as well with an attractive rural motif.
Chief Operations Officer Harry Ajwani said the family decided to open in Narrandera because the community needed a second supermarket.
The new supermarket owners planned their shop with the intention of reducing business going outside the town and to create local jobs.
With this in mind, the Parekh Group brought in a large range of general merchandise products and are also adding their product range as per customer feedback.
Mr Ajwani said more than 20 Narrandera residents are employed at the supermarket and the number is expected to grow.
“We received a lot of support early on, but we need more support. We are trying to do our best.’’
IGA Narrandera + Liquor also support local businesses by selling their products. Pork is procured from Grunt Pork at Grong Grong.
Fresh bread comes from Narrandera Bakery and cakes from Mick’s Bakehouse in Leeton. Fresh chicken comes from Albury and there is a wide range of local wines on offer.
“Fresh fish is delivered from Melbourne markets and fruit and veggies arrive fresh from the markets three times a week.”
Mr Ajwani said customer service and helping customers get their choice of products was top priority.
Staff wheel shopping trolleys to customers’ cars and unload their groceries.
“Based on customer feedback, we have purchased a delivery van to provide home deliveries to our customers,” Mr Ajwani said.
“The town will see a white delivery van with IGA logo on the streets of Narrandera soon.
“A lot of customers asked us about our Loyalty Program called IGA Rewards and we have already provided IGA Loyalty cards.
“We also aim to go live with our online shopping portal by the end of this month and provide home delivery and click-and-collect options for our customers.”
Mr Ajwani said apart from that there were plenty of customer give-aways and prizes to be won at IGA Narrandera+Liquor. A barbecue was recently won by Narrandera resident Jack Langley.
Further information is available on the supermarket’s Facebook page.
The store on the same site as IGA Narrandera +Liquor has a chequered history, having closed several times in the past and Mr Ajwani emphasised the importance of the Narrandera community supporting the new IGA store in its sustainable operations.
He said IGA Narrandera + Liquor will support the local sporting teams.
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 21 October 2021.
