44 | Community reaps its rewards Jared and Anna Gray, and family, have been operating Four Square Te Anau for two years. “We are always looking to make new changes that will benefit the local community.” T T Karen Phelps Four Square Te Anau REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The iconic Four Square brand recently celebrated its 100th birthday, and in Te Anau, storeowners Jared and Anna Gray marked the occasion sharing cake slices with customers and grand prize draws. This celebration comes as the Grays approach their own milestone – two years at the helm of Four Square Te Anau. “They always said if you stick at it then it can be a very rewarding career,” Jared says, referring to his 20-year history in the grocery trade. Before acquiring the Te Anau store, Jared was the store manager of Pak’nSave in Blenheim. After three years as manager, the couple decided they were ready to take on their own store. The decision to move to Te Anau was not just a business opportunity, but also a lifestyle choice for the Gray family. “It was a good opportunity for our kids to see what living in small-town New Zealand is like,” Jared explains. The timing was opportune, as the store was recovering from the impacts of Covid-19, presenting a chance to contribute to its improvement. Since taking over, the Grays have initiated numerous changes to enhance the shopping experience. They redesigned the checkout area, introducing self-checkout options to manage the influx of tourists during peak seasons. The store now boasts two manned lanes and three self-scan checkouts. “It’s particularly good when tourist buses turn up and many people come into the store at the same time,” Jared explains. Another significant upgrade has been the introduction of electronic shelf labels. “It really helps with price integrity and also it’s reduced workload as well,” Jared says, highlighting the efficiency gains from this technology. Anna has been instrumental in expanding the store’s food offerings. The hot food and ‘food to go’ range has increased significantly, now including sushi, sandwiches, and various hot food options, all made on site. A new bakery section offers fresh bread, and there are plans to expand the range of baked goods. In response to customer needs, the store has also introduced meal-solution bags with recipe and ingredients to help making a meal easy. “We are always looking to make new changes that will benefit the local community,” Jared explains. “When customers make requests for items, we are pretty proactive in providing for their needs.” The Four Square brand emerged in the 1920s from the Foodstuffs grocery buying co-operative, founded by J. Heaton Barker. The name ‘Four Square’ was coined on July 4, 1924, when Barker, during a phone call, drew a square around the number 4 on his calendar, deciding that the group would stand ‘Four Square’ to all challenges. The iconic Mr Four Square character, designed in the 1950s, has become a nationally recognised symbol, even inspiring artworks by renowned artist Dick Frizzell. Jared and Anna plan to continue upgrading the store and to be deeply involved in community activities. Jared serves as the chair of the PTA for Fiordland College, and both he and Anna contribute to local schools and sports clubs through sponsorships and assistance with community events. Their journey so far exemplifies the Four Square ethos of independent grocers serving their communities with dedication and a personal touch. “The response has been fantastic,” Jared says. “Anna and I are both at the shop quite a lot and locals really like the fact they can approach the owners for a chat.” TE ANAU Phone 03 249 7661 15 Milford Crescent, Te Anau 9640 MON - FRI: 7.30AM to 5.30PM SAT: 9AM to 4PM SUN: 10AM to 3PM 7 Town Centre, Te Anau | 03 249 7750 | lakesideservice@outlook.co.nz LAKESIDE SERVICE CENTRE Proud to support Four Square
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