Surprise Aussie supermarket named best in the world

A local Aussie supermarket has been recognised on the world stage after scooping a huge award.

A local supermarket has been crowned one of the world’s best, scooping the IGA Supermarkets International Retailer of the Year award.

Saints Foodland in Salisbury Plain in Adelaide’s northern suburbs was chosen from among its global peers and honoured with the title at a ceremony in Las Vegas.

The store won the IGA National Retailer of the Year award last year, which put it in the running to represent Australia at the international awards.

There are 6000 independent IGA retailers across the world. Mystery shoppers judge the stores based on ambience, offering, sustainability and customer service.

Saints Foodland has been awarded IGA International Retailer of the Year in Las Vegas. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Foodland Supermarkets CEO Franklin dos Santos said the winning supermarket delivered an elevated, premium shopping experience.

“An expansive curated cheese bar, internal cafe and bakery, onsite butcher and charcuterie/smallgoods selection and seafood offering are just a few of the drawcards with this store,” he said.

Customer Ian Whitlock agreed when stopped by 9 News Adelaide during his shop.

“They’ve got so [many] different cheeses, and they’ve got a lot of fresh meat. They let you try the meat before you buy it in the fresh meat [deli],” he said.

“Other supermarkets don’t let you try,” Cherie Tomkins added.

Taylor Matiscsak and Amelia Cotgrave celebrate their stores win. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Saints Foodland is owned by the John Chapley family, who also own other Foodland supermarkets, and led by Spero Tsapaliaris, who is also Foodland Supermarkets chairman.

Mr dos Santos described the store as a “destination” rather than just a supermarket.

“When you think about the world’s best supermarkets you think about all the bells and whistles of the finest quality fresh produce, locally sourced produce, artisan breads, pasta and chocolate, international brands, an abundance of variety and first-class service,” he said.

“This globally recognised store has all of that and more. The store has been designed around the needs, tastes and lifestyles of the customers in the local area.”

He said the store was also environmentally friendly, “which in this day and age is a necessity”.

It has 550 solar panels and a partnership with OzHarvest to reduce food waste.

Originally published as Surprise Aussie supermarket named best in the world