Roelf Vos
Encyclopedia
Roelf Vos was a wealthy Tasmanian businessman who, amongst other achievements, established a supermarket chain carrying his name initially in Launceston
Launceston, Tasmania
Launceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart...

, but later expanded throughout the whole of northern Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...

. The equivalent in the south of the state was Purity Supermarkets.

Vos initially purchased a corner milk bar and store in Launceston, Tasmania. From this humble beginning he went on to introduce self service shopping to northern Tasmania, and the business grew into a chain of ten supermarkets, employing over 500 people.

In 1982 the supermarket operations were sold to Woolworths. The Vos family retained ownership of the properties, including two shopping centres in the north and north west of Tasmania. Although they retained the Roelf Vos branding for some time, they were eventually rebranded as Woolworths in the early 2000s.

At the time of the final loss of the Roelf Vos name, the stores in Launceston included a CBD store (Wellington Street), as well as Newstead
Newstead, Tasmania
Newstead is an inner suburb of the city of Launceston in the Australian state of Tasmania, located approximately 2.4 kilometres east of the central business district . Schools in the area include Newstead College.-External links:...

, Kings Meadows
Kings Meadows, Tasmania
King's Meadows is a suburb in the south of Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, with a greater amount of shops than any other suburb within Launceston. It also has the largest shopping centre within Launceston, the Kings Meadows High School, and a hotel....

, Prospect Vale
Prospect Vale, Tasmania
Prospect Vale is a small suburb of Greater Launceston and is within the Meander Valley Council's area.It contains two schools, Prospect High School and a private Catholic school, St. Patricks College....

, Riverside
Riverside, Tasmania
Riverside is a residential suburb 4 kilometres north-west of the central business district of Launceston, Tasmania's second largest city. The West Tamar Highway runs through the suburb, adjoining Riverside to the West Tamar, which includes small towns: Beaconsfield, George Town and Beauty Point...

 and Newnham
Newnham, Tasmania
Newnham is a suburb of Launceston. Newnham is located on the East Tamar Highway, on the eastern side of the Tamar River.Both the University of Tasmania and the Australian Maritime College have a campus in Newnham. Mowbray Indoor Sport n Skate is also located in this area.-References:...

. The CBD Wellington Street and Newstead stores are now Coles
Coles Supermarkets
Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741...

 supermarkets, and the Newnham store has closed and is now a City Mission
City Mission
The City Mission movement started in Glasgow in January 1826 when David Nasmith, founded the Glasgow City Mission . It was an interdenominational agency working alongside churches and other Christian agencies to provide for the spiritual and material welfare of those in need.Agencies in the...

 charity store. Woolworths is currently looking for another store location in the Launceston CBD to include a Big W outlet.

He is also the grandfather of prominent Australian socialite and fashion designer, Felicity Vos-Adnum.

See also

  • Frequent Shopper Club
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