Ever wondered how long your cereal bar has been sitting on the supermarket shelf? Or considered that pesticides and preserving chemicals may extend further than the fruit and veg aisle?
Shopping Australian made goes further than supporting the local economy, it also translates to the quality of the product that you’re feeding your family.
While research suggests that for 55% of Australians, purchasing locally made food products has become more important to them, it’s unlikely that this sentiment is translating to sales at the checkout.
Although many household shoppers are aware of the benefits of purchasing ‘Australian made’, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re buying locally produced products over imported, and in many cases they’re not.
That being said, it’s not just the consumer that has to rethink their habits.
Australian food businesses need to up their game to encourage customers to buy their products over the abundance of alternative imported options. These businesses need to adapt to the changing needs and wants of consumers, focus on differentiation, quality over price and their brand image - from packaging to valuing the customer by dealing appropriately with enquiries and complaints.
I’ve listed below five main reasons why consumers should be shopping Australian made:
1. You’re buying the safest products
Products produced in Australia are among the highest quality products in the world, manufactured under our strict standards. For many products which are grown and manufactured overseas, they’re produced under different environments and you don’t know the methods, pesticides or chemicals used.
2. You’re buying the freshest products
Local foods are the freshest on the shelves. At Kez’s Kitchen we recently received confirmation by a major supermarket for five new lines and will have products on the shelves in a couple of weeks. If the supermarket had chosen to import products instead, it’d take eight weeks for the products to be shipped into the country and potentially longer until it’s in your tummy!
3. You get better customer service
Not happy with a locally made product? Tell the manufacturer and they’ll likely bend over backwards to rectify the situation. Unlike imported brands that may only offer a 1800 customer service number, local manufacturers are more accountable and easily accessible. For us, it’s about building strong relationships with customers. We care about customer opinions and work on resolving any issues immediately to retain loyalty and prove our commitment to meeting our brand promise.
4. You’re supporting local jobs
Research published by the Industry Capability Network reveals that for every $1 million of new or retained manufacturing business in Australia, 10 full time jobs are created. Buying Australian made keeps local businesses operating, and your friends and family in work.
5. You’re supporting the economy
Jobs support the economy. For every $1 million of manufacturing business in Australia there is $333,900 worth of tax revenue generated and $95,000 worth of welfare benefits saved.
__small.png)
