Owners of the IGA Supermarket, about 25km west of Port Macquarie, estimate an overnight robbery on Sunday cost the shop $20,000.

Business owner Terry Burn believes about $13,000 of cigarettes were stolen, along with items including alcohol, nappies and cereal.

The father-of-three hopes to be able to absorb the cost of the loss until the insurance payment, but is not sure he will be able to.

“This could cripple us, and if it does it will have a ripple effect on our staff and the community,” the 36-year-old said.

“They filled shopping baskets, black bags and emptied cartons of beer to use as boxes to carry stuff out.”

The store employs three full-time and two casual staff.

Mr Burn said it was the third time the business had been raided since he opened it in 1991.

The other incidents were smash and grabs but he believes the robbery was organised.

“They cut the phone lines and got in through a toilet block on the side of the shop,” he said.

“We opened the toilets to the public as a service, but now it’s all shut up and closed.

“Hopefully the community will be able to help us out because it is going to be pretty difficult for the next few months.”

A staff member found the store in chaos when she opened up on Monday about 6.30am.

Police have spoken to witnesses, but urge anyone with information to contact Port Macquarie police station on 6583 0199.