Weekly news summary 10th April 2015
HEADLINES THIS WEEK:
– CHANNEL ISLANDS DEPARTURE FOR COUNTRY RANGE
– TRAINING SCHEME FOR NORTHERN RETAILERS
– MORE RESTAURANT BUSINESS FOR 3663 CATERING EQUIPMENT
CRG ENDS REPRESENTATION IN CHANNEL ISLANDS
Country Range Group is ending its representation in the Channel Islands – an area with which it has been associated for 21 years.
The decision means that Cimandis, with depots in St Saviour, Jersey, and St Peter Port, Guernsey, as well as Valley Foods, of St Martin, Jersey, will leave the group at the end of June.
Unconnected with this is last month’s withdrawal from CRG of Coastline, of Christchurch, Dorset, which has been acquired by Silverstar Foods, of Cranbrook, Kent.
Coral Rose: ‘We have decided not to operate with two separate standards.’
CRG managing director Coral Rose said: “One key reason CRG is so well respected by the foodservice trade is because of our group standards, with suppliers being able to deal with a central office knowing all initiatives will be supported by our members.
“The biggest challenge to meeting group standards is faced by our members in the Channel Islands, whose dynamics do not support the adherence to a common set of standards.
“We have decided not to operate with two separate standards as we do not want to compromise on what we can offer supplier partners.”
Departure of the three members, leaving 13 in total, will have a considerable bearing on the projected annual turnover of £400 million (Cash & Carry Management: December 2014).
Tel: Country Range Group (0845) 209 3777
TRAINING SCHEME FOR NORTHERN RETAILERS
SPAR northern wholesaler James Hall & Co has launched TAP (Training Academy Programme) for retailers and their staff.
The initiative covers a range of topics, including customer service inductions, managing employees, performance, training, fruit & veg ‘conversational selling’ and the five ‘SPARkling Service’ e-learning modules.
Accredited modules are also included, such as food safety, responsible alcohol retailing, health & safety, manual handling, fire awareness and managing theft and violence.
“The launch of TAP is yet another great reason for retailers in the north to join SPAR and James Hall & Co,” said sales & marketing director Peter Dodding.
“We are proud to be offering retailers something totally bespoke, that will hugely benefit their business – all at minimal cost.”
Over 200 retailers have already signed up to the scheme.
Tel: James Hall & Co (01772) 706666
MORE BUSINESS FOR 3663 CATERING EQUIPMENT
Paul Knight: ‘This is testament to our successful working relationship.’
Azzurri Group has retained 3663 Catering Equipment to supply its Ask and Zizzi restaurant chains.
In a deal worth £4.8 million, the delivered wholesaler’s offshoot will be responsible for cleaning solutions, cookware, utensils, crockery, tableware and uniforms at almost 250 outlets (137 Zizzi and 110 Ask).
Azzurri Group is planning to open another 15 restaurants a year.
Paul Knight (right), director of 3663 Catering Equipment, told Cash & Carry Management: “We have been working with these restaurants for five years and this contract extension is testament to our successful working relationship during this time.”
Tel: Bidvest 3663 (0370) 3663 000
