Photo: Yass IGA team members: Sonam, Benji, Hiral, Colleen, Susan, Elizabeth, Suresh (Sam), and Meet.
Residents of Yass looking for a great range, quality items and local convenience for their groceries and homeware needn’t look further than IGA Yass, proudly supporting the community and providing goods to the township. After a few weeks of store repairs, Yass IGA is up and running at full capacity and stronger than before, with new produce and seasonal stock, Yass IGA is designed as a one-stop solution for customers.
“There has been an inconvenience for the last few weeks but we’re up and running again”, said Kavit Parekh, owner of the Yass IGA branch. “We want the people of Yass to know after five weeks of freezer breakdown we have now invested in new cases and these are energy-efficient equipment, we’re up and running with the new freezers.”
As well as investments and upgrades into new freezing systems, Yass IGA has also updated its fresh produce suppliers, as well as bringing in more winter-specific stock for the cold start to 2023’s winter. The produce change is part of an innovative step forward for Yass IGA, to allow for competitive prices that accommodate the impact inflation has had on Yass shoppers, as well as promote better quality in fresh produce.
“We have changed our fruit and veg produce supplier, and with the new supplier we’ve done a lot of research and analysis, and we’re working very closely with the market to get the best pricing in produce at the best quality. We are going to be very price competitive in produce, understanding that inflation has affected the pockets of the whole community, and we at IGA work constantly with our suppliers to provide better value for our customers”, said Kavit.
New stock and suppliers such as produce are trialled and tested for quality, and upon completion, Yass IGA prides itself as one of the first and leading brands to stock these new product lines.
“It’s a constantly evolving industry, and the suppliers always come with new lines – we at IGA Yass have the capability to bring in new lines and innovation in our store”, said Kavit.
Product lines include food items, home decor, household appliances, cleaning, hardware, seasonal products such as winter clothing, heaters, fans, and more. Yass IGA will see more winter-specific stock come in the next three weeks as well as other general merchandise.
Yass IGA prides itself on its relationship with the community and locals, supporting the community by providing local work to its team of 25 plus employees, members almost entirely from Yass and surrounding towns. Yass IGA supports the community further through a community sponsoring fund.
“We take pride in supporting the community and sponsoring community programs, such as sporting clubs. We’d like to do more of that”, said Kavit.
Yass IGA is privately owned and managed, with the IGA brand as a banner for local, independent retailers around the country. IGA stores are owned and supplied by Metcash, a wholesale distributor of food and other retail goods.
For those interested in getting involved with the Yass IGA experience, Kavit assures that Yass IGA is hiring.
“We are always looking, and IGA Yass welcomes any applicants, whether they are looking for casual or permanent, we are open”
Griffin Palen
