Outback Stores
Outback Stores is a Commonwealth-owned, not-for-profit company that manages approximately 60 retail stores on behalf of Aboriginal corporations and community boards in remote Australia, delivering subsidized food access, supply chain logistics, and accredited retail training across NT, WA, SA, NSW, and QLD.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersNorthern Territory, Australia
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Outback Stores does
Outback Stores is a Commonwealth-owned, not-for-profit company that provides retail store management and support services to Indigenous-owned community stores across remote Australia. The company is contracted by Aboriginal corporations and community store boards to manage store operations, including stock control, accounting, purchasing, IT support, and food safety compliance, operating approximately 60 locations across the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland. Its core technology is a retail management platform augmented by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO Code 70040) capability that delivers nationally accredited retail certificates through culturally appropriate programs led by Indigenous trainers. The company is also the delivery partner for the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme, a federal initiative administered by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) that reduces prices on 30 essential items to urban levels for First Nations communities, with 120 of 225 eligible remote stores currently enrolled.
Outback Stores does not operate on a commercial revenue model. It is government-owned, with no private shareholders or venture capital, and its pricing reflects subsidized essential goods rather than market-rate retail margins. The go-to-market is enterprise-style engagement directly with Aboriginal corporations and community boards, typically through multi-year management agreements awarded via tender or following community governance failures or service provider withdrawals. The customer base is entirely comprised of remote Indigenous community stores, with 342 Indigenous people employed in those stores (representing 85% of store staff in FY2024), alongside programs in health and nutrition (sugar and tobacco reduction) delivered in partnership with Monash, Flinders, Charles Darwin, and University of Canberra. The company's value proposition centers on food security, supply chain logistics to Australia's most remote locations (coordinating air freight, barge, and road transport), store governance improvement, and Indigenous employment and training outcomes, rather than profit generation. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the business is structurally dependent on continued Commonwealth funding and policy commitment through the NIAA.
Outback Stores firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Outback Stores
- Legal name
- Outback Stores PTY LTD
- Website
- https://outbackstores.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Outback Stores is a Commonwealth-owned, not-for-profit company that manages approximately 60 retail stores on behalf of Aboriginal corporations and community boards in remote Australia, delivering subsidized food access, supply chain logistics, and accredited retail training across NT, WA, SA, NSW, and QLD.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Outback Stores industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Remote Community Retail Management Services
- NAICS
- Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers) (44511)
- SIC
- Retail-Variety Stores (5331)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Independent Supermarkets & Neighborhood Grocers (CRAHAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Value-Oriented Traditional Supermarkets (Non-Club) (CRAHAAAF), Rural & Remote Value Convenience Stores (CRAEAJAB)
Keywords
Where Outback Stores is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Northern Territory
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
Outback Stores business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Retail Store Management Services: Outback Stores provides retail store management and support services to Indigenous-owned community stores. The company is a Commonwealth-owned, not-for-profit entity with the core objective of supporting remote community stores to maintain food security rather than generating profit.
- Government Subsidies and Grants: The company administers the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme on behalf of the National Indigenous Australians Agency, facilitating price reductions on essential items for remote Indigenous communities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Subsidized essential items under Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Outback Stores product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Outback Stores is a Commonwealth-owned, not-for-profit company that provides comprehensive retail store management and support services to Indigenous-owned community stores across remote Australia. The core offering covers stock control, accounting, purchasing, store operations, and logistics, supplemented by the government-administered Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme, retail training, and health and nutrition programs.
Product overview
Outback Stores is a Commonwealth-owned, not-for-profit company that provides comprehensive retail store management services to Indigenous-owned community stores across remote Australia. The core offering is end-to-end store management encompassing stock control, accounting, purchasing power, and operations support. This core service is complemented by the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme (government subsidy for essential items), Retail Training Services (nationally accredited certificates), Health & Nutrition Programs (sugar and tobacco reduction), and Supply Chain & Logistics support. The company operates approximately 60 remote store locations across the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Remote Retail Store Management End-to-end retail store management and support services provided to Indigenous-owned community stores in remote Australia, including stock control, accounting, purchasing power, store operations, and governance support.
- Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme Government-administered subsidy program that reduces prices on 30 essential items to urban levels for First Nations communities in remote areas, delivered through 120 remote stores with eligibility expanded to 225 stores.
- Retail Training Services Nationally accredited retail training programs (Certificates I-IV in Retail) delivered in a culturally appropriate manner, with first qualified Indigenous retail trainers leading the programs for community members.
- Health & Nutrition Programs Health promotion initiatives including sugar reduction strategies, tobacco reduction projects in partnership with universities, and nutrition education delivered in remote community stores.
- Supply Chain & Logistics Services Complex logistics and supply chain management for remote communities, coordinating air freight, barge deliveries, and road transport across NT, WA, SA, NSW, and QLD, including during seasonal road closures and emergencies.
Quantifiable outcome
- 43% reduction in sugary drink consumption at Urapunga store
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Outback Stores
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Outback Stores technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Outback Stores partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Flinders UniversitycoreOutback Stores collaborates with Flinders University on a tobacco reduction research project focusing on five central desert stores. The partnership involves community engagement, health education, and development of reduction strategies for remote areas.
- Monash UniversitycoreSince 2018, Outback Stores has hosted Nutrition and Dietetic students from Monash University for community placements. Students work on projects including reducing table sugar consumption and exploring barriers to healthy food in remote communities.
- Charles Darwin UniversityminorOutback Stores works with Charles Darwin University by placing graduates into work placements and permanent employment opportunities in the Darwin Support Office.
- Ngurratjuta/Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal CorporationcoreOutback Stores collaborates with Ngurratjuta/Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal Corporation to provide training and mentoring opportunities to residents in remote communities such as Papunya, Mt Liebig, Nyirripi, and Haasts Bluff.
- Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) Team - Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal CorporationcoreThe TIS team from Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation collaborates with Outback Stores and Flinders University on tobacco education events in remote communities, hosting inaugural education events and engaging with community members.
- Top End Health - Public Health NutritionistminorOutback Stores conducts joint projects with Top End Health's Public Health Nutritionist, including fruit and vegetable evaluations in stores and health promotion activities.
- University of Canberra - Dietetic StudentsminorUniversity of Canberra dietetic students participate in community nutrition placement projects alongside Outback Stores staff, working on healthy eating initiatives.
- Independent Grocers AustraliaminorSupplier partner contributing to Outback Stores' grocery supply chain for remote communities.
- WoolworthsminorSupplier partner contributing to Outback Stores' supply of grocery products for remote Indigenous communities.
- Central Land CouncilcoreOutback Stores participates in Central Land Council meetings and food security panels. The partnership ensures that 14 stores in the CLC region maintain best standards for accessing nutritious food while delivering cultural, social, and commercial outcomes.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Outback Stores competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Outback Stores social profiles
Digital presenceOutback Stores compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Outback Stores financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Outback Stores leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Outback Stores funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Outback Stores M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Outback Stores
What does Outback Stores do?
Outback Stores is a Commonwealth-owned, not-for-profit company that provides comprehensive retail store management and support services to Indigenous-owned community stores across remote Australia. The core offering covers stock control, accounting, purchasing, store operations, and logistics, supplemented by the government-administered Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme, retail training, and health and nutrition programs.
Is Outback Stores a public or private company?
Outback Stores is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Outback Stores founded?
Outback Stores was founded in 2006. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Outback Stores based?
Outback Stores is headquartered in Northern Territory, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Outback Stores make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Retail Store Management Services are the primary driver. The others are government Subsidies and Grants.
Does Outback Stores have an API?
No public API is recorded for Outback Stores.
What industry is Outback Stores in?
Outback Stores's product category is Remote Community Retail Management Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAHAAAB, Independent Supermarkets & Neighborhood Grocers, with a secondary code of CRAHAAAF, Value-Oriented Traditional Supermarkets (Non-Club). Its NAICS code is 44511 and its SIC code is 5331.