New website thinking outside the box

Jabiru Supermarket’s Christie Morrissey takes an online order from an outstation with the new technology.

WITH the announcement that the Ranger Mine extension will not go ahead, many businesses in Jabiru are facing tough times.

But one local business is thinking outside the box, by sending the boxes outside.

Jabiru Supermarket is currently trialling online orders to remote communities, offering an innovative service to box up and send supplies out bush to the many outstations around our region.

Jabiru Foodland Director Gus Coombe says with Cahill’s Crossing now underwater, and road transport cut to the east, an air delivery service was a viable option.

“It’s about getting fresh fruit, vegetables and meat out to remote communities”

“Basically we have been delivering online orders for the last month, as a trial run, with AAA Charters to Warddeken,” Gus told The Wire.

The supermarket has set up a dedicated website for online orders, with Foodland staff putting them together in-store using wireless tablet technology.

“This new innovation is driven by the mine slowing down, but it is also about getting fresh fruit, vegetables and meat out to remote communities that might not have regular access to a supermarket,” Gus said.

“We can deliver anywhere where there is an airstrip, anywhere on the other side of the East Alligator River, and the cost isn’t what you might think. If enough people get together, with a community cooperative, it might be around 10 percent of the bill.”

He said people living in outstations accessible by car could save money by joining together to order online.

“The community can do their order online and just have one person to pick it up by car, sharing the savings,” Gus said.

The new website is available at jabirufoodland.myfoodlink.com.