Drakes Supermarkets

Drakes Supermarkets is excited to announce the upcoming opening of its 69th store, located at the former Coles site in the heart of Mount Gambier’s CBD. After 4 years of vacancy, Drakes is breathing new life into the site, bringing a fresh and unique shopping experience to the local community. The site is a joint purchase and development project with Leyton Property, and a full refit will commence in the coming weeks. The store will become Drakes’ newest flagship store, creating over 150 new job opportunities for the region. The reopening is particularly significant for Drakes Managing Director, Roger. Over 50 years ago, he managed this very Coles store in Mount Gambier, before leaving to open his own store. After building Drakes into the successful family-owned business it is today, Roger is returning to where it all began. “It’s a full circle moment for me,” says Roger. “I was once told I’d never make it in this industry. Coming back to revive this store for the Mount Gambier community is something I’m incredibly proud of.” The Mount Gambier community can look forward to an enhanced shopping experience, featuring an expanded range of products tailored to meet the needs of locals, an extensive meat selection and quality fresh produce and a full-service delicatessen offering freshly sliced meats. Drakes will also introduce its innovative concepts, including The Little Kitchen, where customers can enjoy hot meals and salads made to order; and a café wall for quick and convenient on-the-go options. “South Australia doesn’t just end at Adelaide, and the Blue Lake City has been neglected for far too long. We’ve heard the people loud and clear and we are excited to be bringing the Drakes offer to Mount Gambier.,” says John-Paul “Jp” Drake. “I’m so happy Coles told Dad he would never make it in this very store. Amazing what some hard work and support from the people around you can do. We’re looking forward to getting this support from the people of Mount Gambier and becoming a part of the local community. Drakes is committed to providing the Mount Gambier community with a trusted, family-owned store, that delivers exceptional value, high-quality products, competitive prices and the outstanding customer service the community deserves. “We have a proud history and commitment to reinvesting our profits back into the state and communities in which we live and operate,” says Roger. “We understand that the customer is our boss, if they’re not happy, we’re not happy.” The store is set to open in late 2025. Roger Drake | John-Paul Drake

Happy International Women's Day! Today, we celebrate the amazing women who are part of the Drakes family - from the aisles to head office, meat centre to distribution centre. Your hard work, passion and dedication inspire us every day. Thank you for everything you do, we're so proud to have you on the team. #IWD2025 #InternationalWomensDay

Drakes Supermarkets is excited to announce the success of its 2024 Christmas Charity Campaign, which raised a total of $55,581.65 for Ronald McDonald House Charities South Australia and Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland. These funds will help provide accommodation, meals, and vital support services for families with seriously ill or injured children, ensuring they can stay together during challenging times. Thank you to our valued customers, team members and suppliers for their support and we look forward to continuing our partnership with RMHC, making a real difference for families across SA and QLD. 🖤💛

We’re proud to highlight our long-standing partnership with Rainbow Fresh (SA) and the legendary Lettuce King, Joe! 👑🌿 For generations, the Giangregorio family have poured their hard work, passion, and dedication into growing the freshest lettuce, ensuring top-quality produce for our customers. In this interview, they share their incredible journey—from humble beginnings to becoming a trusted name in fresh produce. Their commitment to quality and supporting local is what makes this partnership so special.

Our friends at Rainbow Fresh (SA) invited us to their farm in Lewiston, where the Giangregorio family has been growing gourmet lettuce since the '70s. Stay tuned - we've got an exclusive interview with the legendary 'Lettuce King' coming out shortly!

On behalf of the Drakes family, we would like to thank you for your continued support. Reaching 50 years is a huge milestone and without you, we wouldn't be where we are today. We're excited to bring you an even better shopping experience in 2025! Merry Christmas and a Safe New Year

In a commitment to support farmers in the Murray Mallee / Murraylands region Drakes is proud to announce the launch of ‘Farmer Fridays’ at its Murray Bridge store. Commencing Friday 13th of December, this initiative will provide farmers impacted by the severe drought with a discount on their purchases every Friday. Drakes Director, John-Paul Drake says “South Australia has the best produce in the world, and our farmers are the absolute lifeblood of this great country. Those in the Murray region have had it harder than others in the last few years with floods, fires and everything in between - Farmer Fridays is the least we could do to help support those who keep us fed”. This initiative will be trialled at Drakes Murray Bridge, a community deeply connected to the agricultural sector, with the potential to extend to other regional locations such as Port Lincoln, Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island, all of which have strong ties to farming and primary production.

Welcome to the Drakes family, Mount Compass! We're excited to be part of the community and look forward to continuing the strong ties that have made this store so special. #68

In celebration of our 50 years in business, Roger Drake sat down with John-Paul Drake as his 50th podcast guest to discuss his life and retail journey. It's worth a listen!

We had an incredible time hosting our first Singles Hour #supermarketswipe at our Lightsview store on Monday, 11/11 – in celebration of Singles Day! From 7-8 pm, over 60 people joined us for a fun and safe environment to connect with others in our community. It was a fantastic night filled with laughter, friendly conversations, and a lot of mingling. We’re especially thrilled to share that one couple even paired up and have plans for a date! ❤️ At Drakes, we’re always looking for new ways to create exceptional customer experiences and fostering a sense of community.  Thank you to everyone who made the night memorable – here’s to more community-centred events and connections! 🛒 Big thanks to: Nova 919 and their SuperNova team, Tom Cotter for playing tunes to get people in the mood 😉, non-alcoholic beverages and prizes from: Mcguigan Wines Pty Limited, Big Shed Brewing, Coca-Cola South Pacific, and L'Oréal and special thanks to cupid John-Paul Drake.