Fred Harrison Celebrates 50 Years with Ritchies IGA

When Fred Harrison was 14 years old, he began growing fruits and vegetables on a three-quarter-acre property in Mount Eliza, Australia.

On Fridays, he’d load up boxes full of apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, passionfruit, silverbeets, pumpkins, and more. Then, he’d knock on the back door of the Ritchies grocery store in nearby Frankston.

“They always bought them off me,” Harrison recalls. “It was a couple cents for each item and always seemed to add up to about $20, and that was my pocket money.”

One day, Barry Cameron, then owner of Ritchies, was in the store when Harrison made his rounds. Cameron, recognizing an enterprising young man when he saw one, offered Harrison a job.

Fast forward to February 6, 2025, and Harrison, now the CEO of the Ritchies enterprise, which has grown immensely under Harrison's guidance, quietly marked a milestone few in the business world ever reach — 50 years of leadership in the grocery industry.

What began as a teenager’s side hustle selling homegrown produce has grown into a transformative force in Australia’s retail landscape.

Ritchies CEO Fred Harrison stands in the Ritchies Cheese Shop.

Climbing the Ranks

Once he was officially onboard at Ritchies as an employee, Harrison quickly worked his way up the ladder. His first full-time opportunity came when he applied to be the assistant manager at the Thompson Street store in Frankston. He then spent a bit of time working as a holiday relief manager at the six stores then in the Ritchies portfolio. By 20, he was managing Ritchies Bayside, the company’s top location at the time.

“I never finished uni,” Harrison admitted. “I tried a few times, but the retail bug got hold of me.”

In his mid-20s, Harrison took on the role of supervisor, overseeing seven to eight stores. His momentum continued, and in 1984, following the passing of Barry Cameron, Harrison became general manager. A decade later, in 1994, he was appointed CEO, a role he has held ever since.

Driving Unprecedented Growth

When Harrison took the helm as CEO, Ritchies was a regional chain in Victoria with around a dozen stores and annual revenue of $50-60 million.

Today under his leadership, annual revenue has climbed to nearly $1.5 billion. Now Ritchies boasts 82 grocery stores and 73 liquor stores, and they have crossed borders, expanding into New South Wales and Queensland. Ritchies now employs over 7,300 team members.

While many of the stores were brought on through acquisitions, they also strategically located and opened new greenfield sites along the way.

As the largest independent licensed supermarkets in Australia, Harrison’s leadership has transformed Ritchies from a local grocer into a national powerhouse.

Ritchies Cheese Shop, seafood department, and deli.

Embracing Partnerships

One of Harrison’s pivotal decisions as CEO was aligning Ritchies with the IGA network in 1998. When John David, the head of Harrison's wholesaler, brought IGA CEO Dr. Tom Haggai to visit several of the Ritchies stores, Harrison was very impressed with the IGA standards of excellence -- and with Dr. Haggai himself. 

“Dr. Tom made a lasting impression on me,” Harrison said. “He was humble, professional, and gave people his time. He was a person that made a big impact.”

By the early 2000s, all Ritchies were united under one banner: Ritchies IGA.

Harrison forged strong ties with IGA USA, attending the Retailer of the Year awards ceremony many times and developing deep relationships with leaders like current IGA Chairperson Mark Batenic. Under Harrison’s leadership, Ritchies has earned the IGA Australia International Retailer of the Year award four times: in 2002, 2009, 2018, and most recently in 2022.

Metcash, Australia's leading wholesale distribution company, has also been an important partnership. They have even invested in Ritchies, owning about a 30% stake in the company.

Ritchies Loyalty with Purpose

Beyond expansion and awards, Harrison is particularly proud of one initiative: the Ritchies Card. Unlike traditional point-based systems, the Ritchies Card allows customers to nominate a school, charity, or community organization to receive a percentage of their purchase total.

“To date, we’ve donated nearly $55 million to over 4,000 local clubs, schools, and charities,” Harrison said. “That’s real impact. That’s money going back into the neighborhoods we serve.”

This community-first approach has helped Ritchies build deep trust among customers, reinforcing their position as a beloved neighborhood grocer rather than just another store.

Leadership in Crisis

Harrison’s philosophy of service and community proved especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. As lockdowns and health crises tested retailers worldwide, Ritchies rose to the occasion.

“Those two or three years were very hard, but they were also among our strongest ever,” Harrison said. “We were local, we were open, and we were there for people when it mattered most. Our team stepped up in incredible ways.”

Despite staffing shortages and supply chain disruptions, Harrison’s team remained resilient. They sourced stock creatively, shifted team members between stores as needed, and stayed committed to customer care. In many communities, Ritchies was seen as a lifeline.

The Friendliest Team in Retail

In recent years, Harrison has doubled down on building a company culture defined by positivity, friendliness, and genuine human connection. “We decided to brand ourselves as the friendliest team in the supermarket and liquor industry,” Harrison explained. “And we really mean it. It’s something we shout from the rafters.”

From branded coffee mugs and shopping bags to in-store competitions and recognition programs, Ritchies has made friendliness a cornerstone of its brand identity.

“We don’t always get it right — no one does — but we try,” Harrison said. “It’s probably the number one comment we receive from our customers – just how positive and friendly our team is – and all the credit is to our team for being able to deliver that.”

A Quiet Celebration for a Monumental Achievement

So how does someone celebrate five decades of service? Harrison chose to mark the milestone with a quiet dinner at his favorite local Chinese restaurant, surrounded by family, long-time colleagues, and close friends.

“We reminisced about the old days, of course,” he said. “But what really struck me is how some of the good old-fashioned standards that mattered 30 or 40 years ago — great customer service, taking customers to the product, making eye contact, talking to every customer you walk past — are still very important today.”

His team and suppliers also couldn’t help having a bit of fun, producing tribute videos thanking Harrison, while also sprinkling in plenty of jokes and memories from throughout the years.

Legacy and Looking Ahead

Harrison continues to stay engaged on a national and international level. He has served on national boards since the early 2000s, helping shape the future of independent retail in Australia and beyond.

As IGA USA prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, Harrison looks forward to continuing his transpacific ties. “We’ve always enjoyed coming across to the U.S.,” he said. “There are great stores and great people there, and I’m excited to see what’s next.”

After 50 years, Fred Harrison remains as energized and passionate as ever. His journey from backyard grower to national CEO is a testament to the power of hard work, meaningful relationships, and values-driven leadership.

Check out photos below from Ritchies stores across Australia.