Sunrise – Backing Small Business First
ESBWA Founder, Amanda Rose, joined Sunrise to discuss how Australia doesn’t need another big supermarket chain owned by international investors or private equity.
What we do need is to rebuild and strengthen our local small business providers, the independent grocers, family-owned shops, and community-driven enterprises like IGA Supermarkets.
These businesses don’t just sell products. They:
Keep profits in Australia
Employ local people
Support community sports clubs and charities
Provide genuine competition and choice for consumers
Every time another global giant enters the market, small businesses are pushed further to the margins, and with them, the community resilience they create.
If we’re serious about sustainable growth, we must back small business first. That means:
Governments creating fairer policies
Corporates choosing local suppliers
Consumers valuing community over convenience
Australia’s economic strength starts with strong local businesses, and it’s time we protect and prioritise them.