For more than seven decades, Commercial Retail Group (CRG) has been shaping how South Australians shop, gather and connect. Best known as the family behind Adelaide’s Finest Supermarkets - twice awarded World’s Best Supermarket - CRG is a rare business that blends retail, property and philanthropy into one purpose-driven enterprise.
Behind their success is a long-standing partnership with William Buck - a relationship built on trust, accessibility, multi-industry expertise and a shared commitment to supporting the people behind the business.
A multi-layered business with a singular purpose
CRG’s evolution spans three generations. Founded by the legendary Mr Nick Chapley, now in his 90’s and awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his contribution to industry and community, the business has grown from a small regional store into a complex group encompassing:
- Food retail operations with over 40,000 products and 1,000 employees
- A substantial property portfolio and mixed-use developments
- A philanthropic enterprise, YouthInc., supporting disadvantaged young adults
- Major new ventures including the transformative $250m Forestville development
Adelaide’s finest – Commercial Retail Group (CRG)
Best known as the family behind Adelaide’s Finest Supermarkets – twice awarded World’s Best Supermarket – CRG is a rare business that blends retail, property and philanthropy into one purpose-driven enterprise Discover how William Buck has empowered CRG to innovate, expand and excel in competitive markets.
Leading the business today is Nick’s son, Spero Chapley, who has spent 35 years shaping CRG’s identity as a place-maker – not just a retailer.
“We transformed our supermarkets in 2015,” Spero recalled. “We were a very good business at the time, 65 years in the making, but my vision was to take it to the next level. That’s when we set out to really lean into our strength areas – the fresh food, the bakeries, the produce, the seafood – the things that the industry supermarkets have been walking away from.”
“At the very core of our business is our people. We cannot contemplate or even dream about what we want to do without the connection, autonomy and value we put into our people… trust, autonomy and humanity are key to our business,” says Spero.
That ethos is exactly why the partnership with William Buck works, because CRG wanted a firm that would support not only the business, but the people behind it.
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Why CRG chose William Buck
More than a decade ago, during a period of rapid growth and rising complexity, Spero began seeking specialist guidance.
“William Buck came up more than once as a really good fit for our business and our values. We met with Jamie and Adrian and it was an easy discussion – it felt an easy fit. We haven’t looked back,” shares Spero.
Since then, William Buck has become a critical strategic partner, supporting CRG across both retail and property operations, including:
- Quarterly and annual banking reporting
- Managing relationships with financiers
- Forecasting and scenario modelling
- Structure planning and commercial modelling
- Major developments, including the Forestville mixed-use project
- Support for the CFO and executive team
- Advice across CRG’s philanthropic enterprise, YouthInc
Spero explains, “We couldn’t do our business without them. They’re such an important stakeholder in the business… They are part of the team.”
Giving CRG the confidence to grow
A key reason the relationship is so enduring is because William Buck provides clarity and confidence in moments that matter, including:
1. Bank and funding confidence
Banking is a central pillar of CRG’s operations. William Buck provides the financial logic, planning and performance reporting required to support lending and ongoing funding confidence. This becomes especially critical for high-value, multi-stage developments.
“If William Buck couldn’t see the trees through the forest on the Forestville project, I wouldn’t go ahead with it. Their unbiased opinion is really important – they’ll tell me if something is or isn’t a goer.”
2. Multi-industry expertise
CRG isn’t just retail. It’s also property, development, philanthropy and community impact. William Buck’s ability to work across industries means the advice is not only accurate – it’s contextually informed.
3. True partnership across special projects
William Buck advises Spero on the projects that define the business. From supermarket redevelopments to new precinct design feasibilities to philanthropic governance, the firm acts as a strategic extension of the CRG team.
Supporting the Forestville project
The upcoming Forestville mixed-use development represents one of Adelaide’s most significant urban renewal projects – a visionary precinct of:
- 290 residential dwellings
- Retail and hospitality
- A “green urban school”
- Community spaces and event pathways
- An urban rooftop farm
- A centrepiece “Adelaide’s Finest” supermarket
“It is a big development with many moving parts,” says Spero. “William Buck were involved from the very beginning – setting the criteria, the guardrails, assessing value and cost, testing the logic, making sure the business plan was robust.”
The project requires substantial funding over a condensed construction period.
“It’s tricky unlocking funding for something so integrated. William Buck act as the interface between us and our financiers – giving confidence in the numbers and ensuring we can deliver what we’ve committed to.”
Supporting the Chapley family’s broader impact
CRG’s philanthropic enterprise, YouthInc, is deeply personal to the family. William Buck advises YouthInc at a governance and financial level, and the relationship has become so aligned that:
“Our William Buck advisor, Adrian Chugg, became a YouthInc board member. He understood the purpose behind YouthInc and wanted to contribute. We are certainly better for having him on the board.”
This level of involvement underscores William Buck’s belief in supporting the whole business, not just the balance sheet.
Why the partnership endures
After more than 12 years working together, the relationship between CRG and William Buck is stronger than ever.
William Buck delivers:
— Confidence in decision-making
— Clarity on complex financial requirements
— Consistency from advisors who truly understand the business and industry
— Accessibility, with direct contact and open communication
— Care, not just for the business but for the family
And because CRG values trusted partners just as much as trusted employees.
Looking ahead: A future built on strong foundations
Spero describes the future of CRG as “bright and exciting – like we’re just warming up.”
With major expansions across retail, property and community development underway, the business continues its trajectory of growth, innovation and impact.
And William Buck will be there, providing the trusted advice, personal connection and proactive guidance that empower the Chapley family to focus on what they do best – serving their community, growing their business and creating places where people feel welcome.
