Insights

From a community store to a region’s future: Barossa Co-op’s legacy

Posted February 03, 2026

Author(s):

Alison Holloway

Experts in this area:

Alison Holloway

Sectors:

SGS Economics and Planning Barossa Coop Photo 2

Image source: BCCM | Photos by: Chris Grose

Barossa Co-op exists to “make living in the Barossa better”. Central to the purpose is building and keeping wealth within the local economy, a living example of community wealth building in action.

Owned by more than 22,000 members, most of whom live locally, the Co-op has been part of the region’s story for generations. Its community ownership began in 1944, when a local general store owner offered the business to the community following the tragic death of his son in the war. Over time, the Co-op has grown into a cornerstone of local identity and pride, delivering value not only to residents but also to businesses and visitors across the region.

What began as a single general store has evolved into one of South Australia’s largest independent supermarkets, Barossa Fresh, alongside nine retail businesses including Barossa Mitre 10, Intersport Barossa, Barossa Betta, Barossa Toyworld, Barossa Lifestyle, Barossa Workwear and The Design Studio. The Co-op also owns and operates Barossa Central shopping centre, home to more than 30 specialty retailers across two sites in the heart of Nuriootpa, turning over $35M annually. Across its businesses, the mix of retail offerings continues to reflect and respond to the needs of the local community.

Barossa Co-op lives its purpose by ensuring profits stay local—used to strengthen the organisation, repay debt, and deliver direct benefits to members and the wider community.

Its enduring success shows how democratic ownership, local reinvestment and a place-based economy can shape a region’s future. Born of the Barossa community’s determination to remain independent and shape its own future, the Co-op continues to deliver real, lasting value as an integral part of the local economy and community.

Democratic ownership	Local reinvestment	Place-base economy
Members have equal voting ights regardless of the level of investment, to elect Board Directors.	The profits are reinvested locally.	A major local employer, offering stable jobs, training and career pathways.
Board shapes the strategic direction, fostering transparency and civic engagement.	$15.4 million in local wages paid to 300 employees (FY25), is circulated through the local economy, estimated to be spent locally another 6 times.	Supports regional producers and suppliers, strengthening local supply chains. Purchasing and distributing local produce. Strong partnerships with RDA Barossa and Barossa Council.
Members have a say in how future profits are reinvested, providing long-term stewardship.	Over $1M delivered in member discounts (FY25)	Over $140k returned to the community via sponsorship and donation programs (FY25).
Members know that purchasing from local co-op businesses in turn supports the local community.	Members receive exclusive in-store rewards, promotions and events.	Hosts community events, supports local charities and sports clubs, and local community assets.
	Members can invest in and receive returns (currently 2% above the RBA interest rate).

Building a wellbeing economy

The SGS Cities and Regions Wellbeing Index shows how place shapes community wellbeing by assessing traditional measures like Gross Regional Product (GRP) alongside six dimensions: income and wealth, jobs and skills, housing, health, equality and community, and the environment.

Aligned with the Census cycle from 2024, the Index tracks long-term trends and provides annual interim updates to keep wellbeing at the centre of policy and investment.

The snapshots below highlight how the Barossa region performs across each wellbeing dimension. Explore the Index here.

Barossa Co-op in the global cooperative spotlight

In November 2025, the Business Council of Cooperatives and Mutuals hosted a Tour of Barossa Co-op [1]. The tour followed the Adelaide Leaders’ Summit as part of the UN International Year of Cooperatives events, celebrating strong, sustainable and purposeful leadership across the movement. SGS Principal and Partner Alison Holloway joined BCCM members for a briefing by CEO Cathy Main and the Executive Team on the background, purpose, and strategic direction of the member organisation. This was followed by a guided tour of the stores and facilities highlighted the scale of the recent and planned investment in Nuriootpa and surrounds.

At the Summit, Cathy Main, CEO of Barossa Co-op, joined the CEO of UK-based The Co-operative Group on a panel on “mutual value” from a member/customer perspective. The discussion focused on how member-owned businesses build a better world and help shape a fairer, more inclusive economy. The future of business isn’t about choosing between purpose and profit — it’s about recognising that one sustains the other.

[1] This case study was prepared by SGS Economics and Planning. SGS is a certified B Corp, Australian and an employee-owned and managed company. We’ve been advising local and state governments on strategic planning and economic development for well over 3 decades. We are committed to serving the public interest through our advisory work, with an ownership structure that ensures our advice is not influenced by external investors or shareholders. SGS is a proud member of the Business Council of Cooperatives and Mutuals.