Chamber rejects trade call - Mid West + Gascoyne

The Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry has strongly rejected claims IGA has the “monopoly” in Geraldton and that it does not “appreciate or understand” the impact of online shopping.

Chamber chief executive Bill Headley said by definition the IGA stores could not be described as a monopoly because they had different owners.

Wonthella IGA, Rigters IGA, Utakarra IGA and Glenfield IGA currently trade on a Sunday, two of which are owned by the Rigter family.

Mr Headley said each supermarket complied with the current legislation as to staffing numbers that allowed them to trade on a Sunday.

Small businesses with a maximum of 18 staff on the floor may trade on a Sunday in Geraldton under current legislation.