Communication and payments platform Podium has announced “Australia’s Most Loved Local Businesses”. The winners were selected by Podium, the Council of Small Businesses Organisations of Australia (COSBOA) and consumers’ Google reviews from a list of over 3000 local businesses.
The campaign, which seeks to spotlight some of Australia’s most vibrant, innovative, and dynamic local businesses, has culminated in a winning group of eight “most loved” local businesses:
- The Acoustic Centre (VIC): A specialist acoustic store in Melbourne which is helping people fall in love with music, and help rebuild an industry hit hard by the pandemic.
- bikeNOW (VIC): provides consumers a total solution for all cycling requirements.
- City Realty (SA): A real estate business recognized for empowering its staff and making the process of purchasing or renting a property easier for would-be home buyers.
- DCM Plumbing & Drainage (QLD): A local favourite plumbing business that has been servicing the Gold Coast community for over 15 years.
- North Brisbane Dental (QLD): A dental business with a mission to change perceptions of the industry and remove the fear and stigma of a trip to the dentist.
- Titan Plumbing (VIC): A husband-and-wife-run business that aims to deliver a small family-run plumbing business on a large scale.
- Westside Auto Wholesale (WA): A West Australian business that has grown to become an industry leading car dealership business without losing its local links and heritage.
- Xceed Real Estate (WA): A real estate business with an emphasis on building long-standing, warm relationships, a commitment to its staff, and a passion for philanthropic work in the community.
“We’re so excited to launch Australia’s Most Loved Local Businesses, a celebration of some of the businesses that make up our vibrant community,” Podium’s Country Manager, Australia, Dave Schiene, said. “Australia is a nation of local businesses; restaurateurs and retailers, dentists and tradies from the tip of Tasmania to the top of Darwin, and from east coast to west. Their economic contribution to Australia is immense, their social contribution infinite.
“In reality, this report could’ve featured almost two-and-a-half million local businesses,” Scheine added. “Instead, we could feature only eight, but they’re a diverse representation of the millions of businesses who stand beside them. These eight businesses have earned the love and trust of their customers, as seen and measured in their online reviews.
“These reviews offer more than just support from their customers,” Scheine said. “Reviews also play a huge role in local business success, with more Australians than ever before being influenced by online reviews. Over the last 18 months, local businesses have faced unprecedented challenges. In spite of that, they’ve innovated, adapted and continued to provide essential products and services to the customers who love them.”
In addition to being named as one of the eight, The Acoustic Centre, bikeNow, and Xceed Real Estate were awarded COSBOA commended status. The Acoustic Centre was recognised for helping out other small businesses in the music industry through their charity appeal; bikeNOW, because of their positive impact on community fitness, safety and sustainability through their cycling programs; and Xceed Real Estate for the warmth of their service and their philanthropy.
