Little-known Bunnings perk all tradies rave about: 'Rite of passage'

Tradies across the country — and even across the ditch — are making the most of a little-known perk offered by Bunnings that includes a delicious feed, free merch and a good old yarn.

Every branch in Australia and New Zealand has a trade specialist that looks after the retailer's relationship with local tradespeople and once a month the Bunnings store puts on a special breakfast for their most loyal customers.

Electrical apprentice Eleanor Gleeson told Yahoo News Australia that attending the breakfast is a "rite of passage" for those who work in trades and the merchandise handed out as freebies is "highly sought after".

"Trade breakfasts are a morning event where they have free breakfast and coffees for tradies," the New Zealander told Yahoo, adding that it's also a chance to grab some merch and chat with suppliers and other tradies in the industry.

"Depending on what merch they have available at the time depends on what you might get, for example, I have got in the past hoodies, T-shirts, flannels, drink bottles, sun hats," she said. Gleeson doesn't just wear her merch to work, but also to the gym.

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Tradie Breakfasts support good causes

Tassie-based tradie Richard Davis, who owns Davis Landscapes says he gets all his timber, gardening supplies, tools and hardware from the hardware giant and rarely passes up the chance to grab a bacon and egg roll.

"The trade brekkies are usually once a month and sometimes have a theme to them," he said. "One recently supported men's mental health and one before supports women in trades.

"The trade specialists are on the BBQ cooking up bacon and egg rolls for the tradies between 7am and 9am and are always keen for a chat.

"It usually gets a pretty good turnout every month, but people generally won't turn down a free feed and some cool merch."

"Trade breakfasts are just one example of numerous offers and initiatives we have to look after our tradies. A few examples are fresh fruit on trade desks, water in summer, hot soup in winter and a free coffee offer at most trade desks," a Bunnings spokesperson previously told Yahoo.

Trades professionals bring in far more revenue than the typical domestic customer, so it's no huge surprise the hardware chain would want to build strong relationships with those consumers — who typically hold a Trade Powerpass, a membership that offers exclusive benefits like flexible payment options and special pricing.

"Across stores nationwide, Bunnings Trade hosts a free monthly BBQ for local trade PowerPass customers," a Bunnings spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo News. "We know it’s hard for our trade customers to spare a moment out of their busy workdays, so the BBQs are an opportunity to connect over a free breaky roll and ensure we can support them with everything they need to run and grow their business.

"Bunnings PowerPass customers can find out when their next BBQ is by checking signage and speaking to the Bunnings Trade team in their local store."

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