IF you’re among the growing legion of budget-conscious shoppers it could pay to check out Box Lots next time you need some groceries.
Box Lots, which opens today at the river end of Victoria Street, is a bulk grocery clearance outlet and the newest trading division of Tri Q.
Items on its shelves include toiletries, canned goods, pasta sauce, packaged foods and cleaning products.
General manager Bernie Scott said Tri Q was a not-for-profit business established in 1994, which operates the ChanSes R recycling facility in Paget and a mine support business in Moranbah.
“Our mission is to provide employment and training opportunities to those within the community who have a disability or are in some other way disadvantaged within the workforce,” Mr Scott said.
The idea of the grocery warehouse came from Box Lots manager Ken Thompson, who is from Melbourne where the concept is common.
“We have 27 on the payroll and it is a mix of people – some with disability, ability and other disadvantages.”
Mr Scott said some employees worked limited hours, such as four hours a day, while others worked up to 38 hours a week.
“Our aim is to provide a wide selection of everyday grocery items with a good splash of imported and gourmet lines,” he said.
“Much of our stock, but not all, is sourced as end of line, close to date, cancelled orders, bankrupt stock, and damaged packaging. This is known as distressed or clearance stock.
“We do not make huge investments on creating a ‘flashy’ building or operating from a shopping centre. Our aim is to keep overheads down.”
Tri Q chairman and Mackay Regional Councillor Greg Thomsen said community members who would benefit from Box Lots were those on a fixed budget such as pensioners, self-funded retirees and people on social security payments.
Box Lots opens Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and Saturdays, 8am to 4pm.
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