Good George - Giving locals a helping hand

Good George has seen an increase in locals buying beer, cider and hand sanitiser on its online store.

The Hamilton brewer – like many businesses – has been forced to find fresh ideas to appeal to customers during the Alert Level 4 national lockdown.

“We are noticing locals getting in behind us, and a lot of our bulk orders are coming from locals,” says Good George brand manager Daniel McGregor.

“People are doing new things, getting mix packs and trying new flavours, which is really cool to see.”

They have put together special edition multi-packs and customers can swap out beer or cider for a bottle of hand sanitiser, famously produced by the brewer in the early days of the lockdown.   

There are other small touches like a quirky ‘daily lockdown update’ on their website and social media platforms.

Offering customers that little bit extra, like guaranteeing the delivery of their special edition Easter mix packs before the long weekend, was another popular initiative.   

Their loyal customers – as well as new ones – are using the online store to purchase products and have them delivered to their homes while movement is restricted.  The online store also helps keep people away from supermarkets, and their own staff in work.

Good George has even taken its popular weekly pub quiz’s online.

“That was something we kicked off soon into lockdown.  Quiz’s are something we do at most of our bars and people really get in behind it.  It is a great way for people to come together.”

“It had really good up take so we are doing that weekly now.”

Good George gained local and international attention very early in the COVID-19 crisis in New Zealand when it made its own hand sanitiser initially for its own staff and local community groups.

That has led to an order for the New Zealand Defence Force and supply arrangements with the likes of Civil Defence and COVID-19 community testing stations.

Like all hospitality businesses, Good George has been hit hard by the lockdown.

The business owns four Waikato establishments, two in Auckland, and four partnership operations in Matamata, Tauranga, Rotorua and Sky City Hamilton. Their business employs nearly 300 staff.  

Initially done as a small run, popularity and special bulk orders means they are still producing the hand sanitiser at their Frankton brewery adhering to strict Government rules around social distancing and contactless delivery.  Brewery production is continuing for supermarket supply. 

visit www.mightylocal.co.nz to find more.