Talking Shop with Cameron Bacon
When did the store open?
29th September 2005
Where is the store located?
Shop 3/75 Hardgrave Road West End
How many staff do you have?
Four
Can you tell me a little about each staff member?
Matt: Store manager - 12 years industry experience in bottle shops in QLD. Currently restoring a 1960 VW Beetle.
Favourite wine: Cabernet
Favourite food in the store: Yarra Valley Persian fetta.
Your Passion: Passionate about food and wine matching.
Tim: 8 years industry experience in hotels in QLD and the UK . Drummer in a local Brisbane band.
Favourite wines: Grenache and Sangiovese
Favourite food in the store: Haloumi cheese.
Your Passion: Passionate about good customer service.
David: 7 years industry experience including 2 years in Bars and Restaurants in London and Ireland and 5 years with the BT Hotel group. Works part time as a representative for The Wine Tradition.
Favourite wine: Pinot Noir.
Favourite food in the store: Italian Chocolate.
Your Passion: Passionate about wine, wine and more wine.
Danielle: 6 years industry experience in restaurants in Sydney & Brisbane. Works as a fulltime Speech Therapist. Interests include reading and live music.
Favourite wines: Margan Saignee
Favourite food in the store: Jindi triple cream brie.
Your Passion: helping kids overcome speech difficulties.
Describe what do in an average day?
Working with store staff to constantly improve the way we operate the business. Putting together brochures and other marketing to make sure we are delivering fresh ideas and products which can keep our business viable. Liaising with suppliers and building relationships which ultimately benefit our business and consumers. Personally handling corporate customers needs. Designing and coordinating the fit out of new retail outlets.
How did you get into this industry?
After 10 years in Hospitality I made the change to Retail liquor because I needed a new challenge.
What would you do if you were not in your current role?
Start my own business.
What is the best part of your job?
Working with a small, dynamic, entrepreneurial team who are passionate about the industry and willing to experiment with new ideas.
Name the best retail outlet you have seen and why?
You have to hand it to the large chains like David Jones, Myer etc, while they lack personalised service, their diverse product range, store layout, visual merchandising and marketing are the reason they are amongst the biggest retailers in the country, whilst not necessarily being the cheapest.
What do you like least?
Red tape.
How do you see the relationship between retailer and supplier evolving in the coming years?
I see the relationships between small suppliers and big retailers weakening, causing smaller suppliers and independent retailers to become more and more reliant on each other to survive. Ultimately it is the consumer who will lose out, as the bigger liquor retailers continue to rationalise their product range and focus on quantity over quality.
What has been your greatest challenge in your current role?
Deciding which foods best suit a retail liquor environment.
What has been your greatest achievement in your current role?
Creating the Chalk and Cheese concept and seeing the first store become a success.
What areas of growth do you see for the industry?
I think that we have only scratched the surface of what the consumer really wants from a retail liquor outlet. I believe there are many more opportunities for retailers who are willing to listen to their customers and work on their product range in accordance with their customers needs.
What advice would you give to some- one looking at a career in this industry?
Go out of your way to satisfy your customers, experiment and be persistent.
Where do you think the industry is heading in the next five years?
Over the past few years Queensland has become a lot more adventurous with regard to trying different products. Over the next few years I believe consumer demand will win out and force bigger companies to offer a more diverse product range, more convenience and better customer service.
Inside Liquor wish to thank Cameron Bacon and the team at ‘Chalk & Cheese’ for their contribution.