VANA MEMBER PROFILE – Press & Grocers Co.
Store Owner: Peter Lavender
Manager: Archana Patel
Address: 393 Wattletree Road, Malvern East, Victoria
Press & Grocers Co. are a well-established and respected Newsagency located in East Malvern. For generations, the shop has served its local community with traditional products and services and an enormous sense of pride and affection. However, in the new world of progressive technology and changing consumer behaviour, the team at Press & Grocers Co. set themselves a vision that would enable them to maintain their identity as a Newsagency and thrive in the new age.
Like many businesses in the industry, they looked at ways of innovating. With generous floor space available in store, the team completely redesigned their layout to incorporate a new range of products that fit with what their local customer base would like. The response and support they received has been overwhelming.
Their reinvention included a name change – from Central Park Newsagency to Press & Grocers Co. with updated signage and a new look to catch the eye of passing traffic. Importantly, Press & Grocers Co. have been able to maintain their identity as a local newsagency, but have also offered the local community so much more.
In the planning stage, the main objective was to determine what was most needed in the area. It was clear early on that a gourmet grocery range would work. Press & Grocers Co. quickly established the type of products that would be in demand, redesigned the shop and launched their new concept on Labour Day weekend in 2020 (what timing!).
Not only have their long-term customers embraced the change, but Press & Grocers Co. have attracted a lot of new customers who had never been to the shop before.
Press & Grocer Co. has always supported local sports teams and aged care facilities. During the past year, Peter says it was even more important to provide support with various items such as hand sanitisers, antibacterial wipes and other food donations. The staff at Press & Grocer Co. also helped their local support team put together COVID-19 plans and other administrative matters.
This year, Press & Grocer Co. are in a better position to support local community and are proud to support Ozharvest with financial & food donations.
Passion, Persistence and Patience are 3 key words that drives the team at Press & Grocer Co. every day. The key is to continue to evolve and try new products & services with highly visible merchandising points and maintaining the highest standard of customer service.
Peter says as a long-term newsagent, the change has been invigorating and exciting and wishes everyone in the industry well in any endeavours they may pursue moving forward.
