An independent retail supermarket is rolling out three new store formats from 2017.

Australian United Retailers Limited (AUR), the company behind FoodWorks among other brands, is introducing three new store formats from early 2017 as part of a 12-18 month process. Existing stores will begin transitioning when the rollout begins.

“One retail format no longer caters for the evolving shopping habits of our customers and these new formats have been specifically developed to take our business into the future by responding our offer to the needs of the communities we service,” said Anthony Abdallah, chief procurement and commercial officer AUR, in a report by Inside Retail.

The relaunched FoodWorks retail formats will be:

• FoodWorks Supermarkets:  targeted to families and the primary shopper in major cities/towns. The core range includes extensive offerings across all departments, with a heavy fresh food focus;
• FoodWorks Local: targeted to families/elderly couples living in regional areas, as well as holiday makers/visitors depending on the location/demographic of the store. Core range is tailored to location and could be a mix of all departments as well as impulse categories, with a strong fresh food focus; and
• FoodWorks Express: targeted to a transient customer base, which includes a combination of passing traffic, public transport users and local residents. Impulse categories such as confectionery, soft drinks, fresh and on the go meal solutions will be part of the core range.

AUR said it is also committed to supporting independently branded retailers who have their own brand equity and choose not to operate under the FoodWorks brand, as part of sustainable retailing for all retailers.

“This is an exciting time for our business, suppliers and customers,” said Abdallah.

“We are confident this new strategy will drive more traffic through our stores, increase sales and profitability and ensure our customers are getting access to the products they want and need.”