VANA MEMBER PROFILE – Somerville Lotto and News
Somerville Lotto and News
Somerville Plaza – 17 Eramosa Road West, Somerville, 3912
Store Owner: Heidi Shu
Years as a newsagent: 3.5 years
Products Sold: Newspapers, magazines, The Lott products, stationery, greeting cards & gifting, giftware, photocopying, scanning & laminating, Myki, parcel collection & drop off point with TNT，TOLL and DHL, Amazon Hub, Blueshyft (Ladbrokes, SodaKING, Neds, etc.)
Heidi Shu is the owner of Somerville News and Lotto, situated on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. Heidi has now owned the business coming on four years and in that time the newsagent has had a major overhaul in all merchandising, marketing and presentation of old and new products. Many favourable reviews have been received for her initiative and fortitude in realising change must take place to continue the role of the newsagent in this growing town.
The newsagent is currently being transformed to be the regions major lotto, news and gift retailer. This upgrade is a welcomed addition for the local community, offering greater variety of wares during the two lockdown periods. The shop hosts a vast assortment of giftware ranging from beauty apparel to homeware goodies.
As with many newsagents, Heidi and her staff pride themselves on product knowledge and customer service. The Lotto side of the business is achieving steady growth, engaging the local community with a variety of promotions and syndicates. At the height of the pandemic, they won praise in the community by providing free medical masks to local elderly people.
Somerville Newsagent continues to support the community with their major fundraiser ‘CFA Awareness Day’ providing much needed financial aid. This day will be an annual event on the calendar.
Heidi and staff are proud of their achievements and this passion is reflected by the locals who support the business.
In 2019, the VANA first-ever “Rookie of the Year” was won by the hard working and innovative Heidi Shu and her team at Somerville News & Lotto.
