A locally owned Bi-Lo supermarket in Bull Creek became one of the first WA stores to join the Independent Grocers Alliance, better known as IGA.

The supermarket in Sevenoaks Street, Queens Park, was to become known as IGA Bi-Lo Queens Park, joining more than 300 participating IGA stores in the United States, Japan and Australia.

IGA had officially launched in WA the previous week, with State president Dr Tom Hagai describing it as a major development for independent supermarket retailing.

The system allowed locally owned stores to operate under the IGA name while remaining independent. Stores were required to meet standards covering service, range and quality, with regular assessments carried out to maintain membership.

IGA said 55 independent supermarkets had initially achieved approval in WA. Managing director David Fawcett said the organisation expected the system to change how consumers viewed their local supermarket and planned to expand throughout the State.