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ROADSHOW SA SPONSORED BY COLES’ COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY Coles operates 56 supermarkets across SA and employs more than 6,500 people at its supermarkets, liquor and Coles Express sites in the state. T he first Coles store in SA opened on March 5, 1932 on Rundle Mall in Adelaide’s CBD, very close to the site of the retailer’s present-day store. According to State General Manager SA/NT Sophie Wong, the retailer stocks “hundreds” of SA sourced products in its stores across the state. “Over the past three years, we’ve also run campaigns as part of ‘I Choose SA’, highlighting SA products and produce in-store to make it easy for customers to choose local when shopping at Coles,” she said. Among the Coles suppliers in SA is Ceravolo Orchards, which grows apples, cherries and pears in the Adelaide Hills. “Thanks to a $500,000 interest-free loan from the Coles Nurture Fund, the Ceravolo family will be the first in mainland Australia to grow and harvest cherries under a retractable roof,” Ms Wong said. “The new roofing system will transform traditional growing techniques, increase yields and extend the growing season. “We’ve also recently introduced the McLaren Vale-produced Mojo kombucha range to stores, and last Easter we launched an SA-exclusive hot cross bun variety, the FruChocs Chocolate Hot Cross Bun – a twist on the classic chocolate bun combined with the iconic SA confectionery FruChocs.” Ms Wong says Coles, as with most retailers in the region, felt the effect of recent bushfires on product availability, and has worked closely with its suppliers to support the recovery. “Seeing the devastation of the bushfires and the impact it has had on the community prompted our team to rally together and hold a ‘Trivia Night’ fundraiser earlier this year,” she said. “We were overwhelmed with support for the event, which we held at Lot100 \\\\\\\[distillery\\\\\\\] in the Adelaide Hills with 600 guests attending. The trivia night was hosted by ‘Cosi’ from Channel 9’s South Aussie with Cosi and was also attended by Deputy Premier Vickie Chapman. “Several of the local businesses, including the wineries that tragically lost their vineyards to the bushfires, attended the event. It was inspiring to see their resilience and courage in rebuilding what they’ve lost. “Through the support of our amazing team, the community of SA and the generosity of over 80 local and national businesses, we’ve raised $221,024 for the State Emergency Relief Fund for the SA Bushfire Appeal.” “Over the past three years, we’ve run campaigns as part of ‘I Choose SA’, highlighting SA products and produce in-store to make it easy for customers to choose local when shopping at Coles.” MAY/JUN, 2020 CONVENIENCE WORLD 21