$1 billion party for Drake Supermarkets after 40 years in business

SUPERMARKET supremo Roger Drake promised he would have a party when the business reached $1 billion in annual turnover or had been operating for 40 years.

By chance, the two events are coinciding. Mr Drake has just realised his lifetime dream of topping $1 billion in turnover at his Drake Supermarkets, while the business will celebrate its 40th birthday early next year.

He has booked the party for March 29, 2014, as the nation's largest family-owned supermarket operation celebrates the occasion. Revealing his party plans this week, Mr Drake also detailed a series of other developments for the supermarket chain including construction of a $10 million state-of-the-art meat processing facility at Beverley.

It will contain the best equipment from around the world to enhance its products.

"This new processing facility brings a range of benefits to Drakes Supermarkets and our customers from automation process efficiencies through to the highest possible quality control," he said.

Mr Drake said his passion was to promote our farmers, South Australia and Australia, while his dream was to keep Coles and Woolworths honest.

"If we look after the South Australian food industry we have the greatest potential of any state and we could be a world supplier of quality food," he said.

"The company's strength lies in operating on the principles of a family business and supporting our manufacturers and suppliers."

Drakes is also moving into online shopping from September 1 and will either deliver to customers in Adelaide or offer a pick-up and go system.

The company's achievement is a far cry from Mr Drake's first humble three-lane Jack & Jills supermarket employing four people in Mitcham, which he bought for $29,000 in 1974.

Today, Drakes employs 5800 people and is the largest private South Australian employer.

The original goal was to make it through the first year until early success led to a change in ambitions to reach a $1 million turnover.

The Drakes Supermarkets business has since grown to 37 stores in South Australia and 21 stores in Queensland.

Despite the tough retail market, Drakes has become the largest independent grocery retailer in Australia, and operates a liquor store, newsagencies, a consulting service and owns a property portfolio.

"To have passed $1 billion in annual sales before the company's 40th birthday next year is a fantastic achievement by our entire team," Mr Drake said.

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