COLES Supermarkets around the nation held special birthday celebrations on Wednesday, to officially mark 100 years since the first store opened in Collingwood, Victoria.
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Taree Coles has 114 team members, several of whom have been with the business for more than two decades, and has been an integral part of the Manning retail community since it came to town in 1968.
Store manager Raymond Mumford lead the birthday proceedings that included a huge cake and 100 centenary cup cakes.
"We're really excited to be hosting a Coles Centenary event at Taree," Raymond said.
"Coles has definitely come a long way since the first store opened, but the company's commitment to quality, service and value has remained unchanged.
"Coles is as dedicated today as it was 100 years ago to serving the needs of local shoppers and producers."
Raymond was particularly proud of the fact that 96 per cent of Coles' fresh fruit and vegetables is Australian-made and said Coles had overcome much change and many challenges over the years.
"I'd also like to thank our customers here and the local community, you've all been an important part of our history," he added.
Joining in the celebrations were Ian and Marilyn Turner of Saxby's Softdrinks who have a long standing relationship with Coles.
Saxby's will also mark a very special birthday this year, with the local company celebrating its sesquicentenary (150 years) later in the year.
Both Ian and Marilyn said they were proud to have been a part of Coles 100 years and thanked the company for the support of their own business.