The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) hosted its sold out Down Under Study Tour last week, with the event a resounding success.
With 90 enthusiastic attendees, the two-day tour through Adelaide left attendees with a wealth of new insights and the opportunity to meet and network with industry peers. All attendees were extremely impressed with the level of maturity and offer development in the Adelaide market.
The two days were packed with visits to a range of innovative convenience and grocery stores along with the state-of-the-art Drake’s Supermarket distribution centre providing attendees an understanding of the latest store formats and offers, and the chance to witness first-hand how industry leaders are pushing the boundaries of convenience retailing. Each stop was an opportunity to delve deeper into what makes these stores stand out in a competitive market.
The highlight of the tour, for many attendees, was meeting and engaging with their industry colleagues. These conversations provided valuable insights into emerging trends and best practices, and forged connections with their peers. This experience was extended as the tour enjoyed a group dinner at one of Adelaide’s premier restaurants, 2KW.
Theo Foukkare, CEO of AACS, said the AACS Down Under Study Tour has once again proven to be a beneficial learning and networking experience for all involved.
“With a wealth of new ideas and a renewed sense of inspiration, attendees are sure to return to their own stores and organisations with fresh perspectives and practical strategies to implement.
“A big thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of this year’s tour. We look forward to continuing to explore and innovate together in the ever-evolving world of convenience retailing. Here’s to the next opportunity to come together, learn, and grow as an industry!”
The 2025 Down Under Study Tour will take place in New Zealand in April/May, with expressions of interest to open soon.
To stay up to date on the latest industry headlines, sign up to the C&I e-newsletter.