What's Selling In - Merredin, WA

While a large chunk of Merredin's 3629 residents might be under the age of 50, that's certainly not the case with its independent retailers.
Within those circles, age and experience are the premium.

Wendy McKay, secretary at Atkinsons on Merredin, says her boutique's been kicking around since the late 1800s; merely changing ownership and clientele along the way. Drakeford's Economic Stores, which caters for both men and women, young and old, is a bit behind at 66 years of age while Cecele's Frock Salon is still a ripe 45 years young.

McKay puts it like this: "There's one supermarket and two and a bit stores so we've got everything everyone needs."
In other words, competition ain't all that tough. As a regional business centre for a hinterland of 18 000 people, McKay says Merredin gets its fair flow of customers each season. This is further bolstered by the 580,000 vehicles which travel through the township each year; following the many road and rail routes which lace around its farmlands.

"All of our customers are rural based so we have all brands for every age - my sister lives an hour out in the middle of the bush and she drives here too," McKay says. "We have Jump, Mr K, Clothing Company, Laura K."

Brands at Drakeford's Economic Stores are equally eclectic. Women's brands include Black Pepper, Gordon Smith, Jump, Yarra Trail and Marco Polo while men's labels include Levi's, Yarra Trail and Gloweave.

Storeowner Roger Drakeford, who runs the store with his wife, says the most popular items are basics such as knitwear, jeans and work gear.

"It's a country town with a good mix of people and we get both locals and people from surrounding areas. So we target all ages a cover a spectrum of customers from teens to retirees."

Lowdown
Location: 285km east of Perth
Population:3629
Stores:Atkinsons on Merredin, Drakeford's Economic Stores
Brands:Black Pepper, Gordon Smith, Jump, Yarra Trail, Marco Polo, Levi's, NRG, Jump, Kaura K, Mr K, Clothing Company

By Assia Benmedjdoub