With a background in commercial banking and accountancy, Hastings Co-op chair David Johnson has a good head for figures.
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After moving to Sancrox in 2002, he worked for the Holiday Coast Credit Union, retiring as company secretary three years ago.
He finds being chair of the Hastings Co-op exciting. It has 275 full-time and part-time staff, and 6,000 active shareholders.
It has three IGA supermarkets, two liquor outlets, a drive-through at Wauchope Cedar service station, two retail fuel outlets and a bulk fuel supplies depot, plus farm supplies and hardware businesses in Wauchope and Comboyne.
Then there’s Wauchope’s Department Store and a smaller outlet in Port, plus the Co-op’s latest venture, the Stirling Green cafe off the Donut.
Last year, it made a profit of $1.318m.
David acknowledges that the retail industry is very competitive and organisations must adapt quickly to new challenges and business disrupters.
As more and more people buy goods from the internet, the Co-op’s online grocery ordering system is getting more popular.
“Yes, there are international retailers already in our area and the Co-operative is meeting the challenge with provision of quality products, quality service and by supporting local producers' products in our stores,” he says.
David believes the need to continually update infrastructure has to be balanced with developing new business opportunities and being able to raise funds from their bankers if extra cash is needed.
And he says the Co-op’s competitive advantage is that it’s made up of local people, supporting local customers and suppliers.
“The Co-operative does know our area better than anyone – it’s a fact.”
The Co-op also supports local not for profit and community groups by way of financial grants, as well as many in-kind grants.
“The Co-operative will continue to expand sensibly and in a financially responsible manner. In time, the Co-op will naturally grow beyond the geographic confines of the Hastings Valley,” he said.
Without divulging future plans, he said the board had set a solid path for growth and expansion.
“Sorry, but we are not going to announce those plans here and now and suggest readers continue to follow the Wauchope Gazette for the plans as we announce them,” he added.