Based in a town of 429, Australia's only online op shop has 1000 plus customers

Tori Johnson has expanded The Outback Op Shop Australia, a business described as Australia's only online op shop, establishing a hybrid retail model in Injune, Queensland. Originally founded as an online venture in 2024 to meet local demand for affordable work clothes, the business now operates both digitally and physically after Johnson purchased the town's former newsagency. Johnson, who grew up on a family cattle property, identified a gap in the market when she realized driving to Roma for second-hand clothing was not feasible. She launched the online store to provide basic everyday items without the boutique markups common elsewhere. The operation quickly outgrew her home, prompting the acquisition of the local newsagency to house inventory and serve the community. The business currently maintains an online customer base exceeding 1,000 people across Australia. Johnson manages an average weekly clothing turnover of 600 items, shipping between 10 and 50 online orders weekly. While she initially accepted donations locally and via post, high stock volumes forced a temporary halt in collection for five to six months. Despite this, donors continue to contribute, including a resident who drove 17 hours from Victoria to drop off a carload of goods. Beyond clothing, the physical location retains stationery, plants, and a nursery to preserve services essential to the Injune community. Johnson notes that locals appreciate the low pricing and the addition of the shop to the town. Although she has no prior retail experience, she works six days a week managing the full-time operation and considers the possibility of franchising the model in the future.