In distant and regional parts of Western Australia, Kimberley Country Department Store has become a household name, offering necessary apparel, workwear, boots, and accessories to residents. The family-run retailer won two honours at the 2022 RISE AWARDS, acknowledging its accomplishments in sustainability, innovation, excellence, and resourcefulness as a Western Australian business.

"The Towne family is thrilled to announce that KCDS is one of the biggest vendors of Western clothing and workwear in Western Australia, and they provide excellent delivery services all throughout the area. stated Sally Towne, the owner.

The origins of KCDS can be traced back to a little shop in Fitzroy Crossing, the Kimberley, named Grungaja Shop. After a chat Sally had in early 2015 while sitting astride her horse at a Daly Waters camp site, she and her husband Chris bought the company in 2016. The only two employees were Sally and one other. Sales were handled manually with a calculator, there was no social media or website, and they relied completely on foot business from the neighbourhood.

Early in 2017, the Townes—Chris operating a cattle station, Sally running the shop—moved to Fitzroy Crossing from Helen Springs, in the Northern Territory, with their four children. The married couple borrowed money to buy a big shed that they gutted and painted, along with $220,000 worth of merchandise. Several difficulties were encountered in the beginning: from 2016 to 2018, the company lost money, and 18 months after Sally bought the store, she was given a breast cancer diagnosis. They designated a manager to oversee the store. In 2017, Sally spent six months receiving cancer treatment in Brisbane, and their two eldest children were sent to boarding school. In 2018, following a surgical recovery, Sally, in an effort to grow the company, bought a truck that was designed specifically for them to use as a mobile store.

Sally extended the brand's reach and visibility to the nearby local communities by driving the rig throughout the Kimberley region to numerous camp draughts and events. The price paid for doing this was, spending a lot of time apart from family, travelling alone. Travelling across North West Australia to various events, such as rodeos, camp draughts, and visiting rural towns and isolated villages, took weeks, perhaps months, at a time, Sally recalled.

Sales started to rise, but problems soon followed, such as managing stock, coping with the heat and long distances, processing non-cash sales via the inadequate internet connection, and staffing the mobile store for auto repairs and breakdowns. Sally decided to use the internet to market country wear and accessories across Australia instead of selling the company. At this pivotal moment, the brand expanded and the stores moved to bigger locations in Fitzroy Crossing and South Hedland.

The year 2019 saw a more than 600% growth in income from $150,000 to over $1 million. The store saw a 60% rise in total income during COVID in 2020, with more than 2.5% coming from internet sales. Sales climbed by 40% to over $2.5 million in 2021 after two new locations were opened: one in Derby in October 2021 and one in Port Hedland at the end of 2020. At this point, over 5.5% of total revenue came from internet sales.

“Our constant travels across the nation to see the truck and trailer mobile shop were mostly replaced by the website” said Sally. “Our virtual store is growing quickly, and we anticipate that over 6% of our overall sales will come from our online presence.”

The proprietors recognised early on that one set location would not support the aim to service consumers across distant villages since they have an inherent grasp of the difficulties and isolation that come with living in a remote region.

Sally stated, "We have a great understanding of the industry and the needs of the people that live out here because we have spent years living and working in the bush, worn the brands, and so on. We will make every effort to dispatch orders as quickly as possible, and we have been known to place items on road trains, mail planes, and helicopters.”

Since launching its own line of country wear and accessories, Kimberley Country has increased its revenue projections for the next year to reach $3.2 million. The company also intends to expand into new international markets.

” As a well-known Australian brand in the farming industry, we have been able to grow both nationally and internationally because to our efforts to bring Kimberley Country into peoples' homes online”, according to Sally. "Even though we never anticipated getting to where we are today, we have always had a gut feeling about seizing opportunities when they present themselves."

While the company has grown, Kimberley Country has prioritised helping the locals in distant and regional areas of Australia. The company has sponsored events totalling over $20,000 in cash and over $12,000 in merchandise. Signed a memorandum with the Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health (FISH) to support job and training programmes that would help break the cycle of poverty that affects Aboriginal people across generations.

"I've always wanted to start a company that will help and uplift the towns and areas of North West Washington. Said, Sally Whether in bulk or just something special, call 08 9191 2000 (Derby) or 08 9172 3868 (South Hedland) or email admin@kimberleycountry.com.au to talk about your specific requirements and one of our friendly staff will be happy to help. For all standard orders, simply shop online or go in store.

Whether in bulk or just something special, call 08 9191 2000 (Derby) or 08 9172 3868 (South Hedland) or email admin@kimberleycountry.com.au to talk about your specific requirements and one of our friendly staff will be happy to help. For all standard orders, simply shop online or go in store.