How to Join Up

Can Outback Stores work with your community store?

Outback Stores works in partnership with community-controlled stores anywhere in Australia.

The stores must be able to, or have the potential to, be commercially successful. The only exception to this is if support funding is provided by an outside source. (In the Northern Territory, this may be provided under the NT Emergency Response.)

How can communities get Outback Stores involved?

Store owners can contact Outback Stores directly, or if in the Northern Territory, through the Government Business Manager for that community. If communities would like to know more about Outback Stores they can ask for a relationship manager to visit and do a presentation for community members.

What will Outback Stores do when a community contacts them?

When a community wants to know more about Outback Stores, a relationship manager will make a time to come out and meet members of store committees, community councils or talk at community meetings to tell the Outback Stores story and answer any questions.

If a community decides it would like to start talking about a partnership, Outback Stores staff will have a look at the store building to see what improvements can be made, talk about employment of local people, get an understanding of the ownership of the store business and look at the store’s financial records.

Once there is a clear picture of the store, the relationship manager will come back and talk to the community about the management agreement, which explains the partnership and how the store will be run.  A communication tool called the "Money Story" is used to help community members in the decision-making process.

What will it mean for a community if they decide to work with Outback Stores?

Once Outback Stores comes in, the community will have a very well-managed store with a guaranteed choice of a large range of well-priced, healthy food and a strong focus on fresh fruit and vegetables.

The managers will be trained at Outback Stores’ own accredited training centre and they will work closely with the community and listen to what they say.

Outback Stores can also lend small amounts of money to a community for new equipment to help the store look and run better.

There will be some rules. For example, book up will no longer be allowed and profits cannot go to individuals.

How to find out more

Outback Stores relationships managers can be contacted through the support office number in Darwin - (08) 8982 1900. Because the relationship managers are often on the road travelling to communities, you may have to leave your details so they can call back. Alternatively, send an email with your details. Further information can be emailed or posted out.