Pics from the Past | Moran and Cato: a legacy of grocery innovation and service

The partnership was established in Melbourne on July 24, 1882, when Frederick John Cato joined his cousin Thomas Edwin Moran, who ran two grocery stores in Fitzroy and Carlton.

Moran died in 1890 at the age of 39 and was succeeded by his widow.

The following years saw expansion into Tasmania and NSW and incorporation of the company in 1912.

By 1935 the company was employing nearly 1000 people and had about 120 branches in Victoria and Tasmania and 40 in NSW.

In 1962, it was still the largest independent retail grocery chain and wholesaler in Australia and a competitor to Coles and Woolworths supermarkets, and had largely converted its stores to the self-service model between 1957 and 1961.

The company was taken over by competitor Permewan Wright Limited in 1969.

— Wikipedia

August 5, 1910, Shepparton Advertiser

Messrs McLean Bros (lately with Moran and Cato), will open on Thursday, 11th inst., a cash grocery business in Stott’s buildings, Wyndham St, and by strict attention to business hope to receive a fair share of public patronage.

They have made arrangements with some of the largest tea importers and blenders to pack for them in their own packets a tea which they say cannot be surpassed for quality.

April 12, 1934, Shepparton Advertiser

As a further indication of their belief in the prosperity of Shepparton and district, Moran and Cato will open their second shop in the town today.

The firm, which is well-known for reputable trading over a period of years, recently leased the premises vacated by Mr J. H. MacGill.

The old shop frontages have been replaced by windows of a modern type, and the latest hygienic fittings have been installed in the building, with an attractive system of lighting.

The counters have been constructed in tile work and all foodstuffs are kept under cover, and in a large ice refrigerator.

Every attention has been paid to the slightest detail.

The firm intends specialising in small goods and confectionery, in addition to groceries.

The work of opening the shop has been in charge of Mr W. Malkin and the new branch manager.

November 6, 1936, Shepparton Advertiser

Special free offer.

The Shepparton housewife who is a keen bargain-hunter — and that means every housewife — will find that by buying her groceries at Moran and Cato’s well-stocked store in Wyndham St, she will not only get goods of the highest quality, but will save money.

A special free offer being made for one week only by Moran and Cato — and detailed fully in the advertising pages of this issue — will be of particular interest.

With every 5/ worth of groceries purchased, a good quality cup and saucer, or half a pound of fruit jubes, will be given free; a 10/ order will carry with it one 9-inch dinner plate; while one handy vegetable dish will be given free with every 20/ order.

Remarkable bargains in almost every line of grocery are available at Moran and Cato’s this weekend, and it is well worth remembering that mail and phone orders receive the personal attention of the manager, Mr Henderson, and Mr James.

Housewives should not miss this splendid opportunity of securing high-quality goods at the lowest possible prices.

The savings made by shopping at Moran and Cato’s will be very great indeed.

Lost Shepparton Facebook comments:

Kaye Dalzell-Coram

I recall Nanna buying broken biscuits from a large jar on the counter.

The bickies were weighed, placed in a brown paper bag and the sale rang up on the till, which only registered the amount of the sale.

It didn’t tell the salesperson how much change to give, but back then, everyone used their brains and added up, either on paper or in their heads.

Yvonne Carlos

I used to buy biscuits loose from the different tins for morning tea at Cameron's Solicitors in mid-50s from this store, I guess.

Bob McKellar

What great memories. I could go there and get three pence worth of broken biscuits. I think most items they weighed out.

Ron Holland

Fred Stradling managed Moran and Cato around that time and my mother, Nora, worked with Cecile Ferguson in the Coles delicatessen.

Paul McMahon

My grandpa, Tom McMahon, worked at Moran and Cato.

Patricia Moran

We moved to Shepp in 1964, and I had great pleasure shopping at Moran and Cato’s with my two little boys.

Pat Noble

My grandmother used to like to shop at Moran and Cato. I would take her shopping on a Saturday morning as I was working through the week.

Ross Menhennitt,

They had the best malt bread I have ever tasted. We always got a loaf when we went to Shepp.

Kriss Starritt Battersby

I have an old tin with Moran and Cato marked on the outside.

Malcolm Blake

That’s back in the day when you got real service.

You gave the grocer your list, and he got everything off the shelf for you.

He had done a lot of the packaging too, weighed out the biscuits, cheese, dried fruits, bacon flour and sugar and the list goes on.

You could ring your order through and have it delivered.

The click and collect is not a new idea — it was happening years ago, just a bit different.

John Tyndall

I worked there in the early ’50s weighing spuds for Mr Joe Meagher.

Geoff Allemand is an amateur photographer and Lost Shepparton Facebook page admin. Please share your Pics from the Past at pastpics@mmg.com.au