Weekly news summary 13th March 2015


HEADLINES THIS WEEK:

– PARFETTS LAUDS ‘EXCELLENT’ TRADING RESULTS, DESPITE PRE-TAX PROFIT FALL
– BESTWAY UNVEILS TRIO OF BEST-IN CHILLED DESSERTS
– JJ FOOD SERVICE LAUNCHES SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN


PROFITS FALL STEMMED BY PARFETTS

Parfetts’ pre-tax profit dipped from £3.7 million to £3.6 million in the year to 30 June after a more marked fall in the previous 12 months (down from £4.6 million). Turnover was up by just over 3% to £308.8 million.

Managing director David Grimes described the results as “an excellent set of trading figures yet again in spite of the ongoing economic challenges”.

David GrimesAfter praising the contribution made by staff, he said that one of the highlights of the year was the Sheffield depot’s 10th anniversary celebration; another was the the completion of a modernisation programme across all six branches.

Grimes (pictured left) also referred to the family business director of the year award from the Institute of Directors won by chairman Steve Parfett. In addition, the Go Local Extra store in North Wingfield, near Chesterfield, won the best impulse retailer category in a food trade competition.

Commenting on the economic climate, he said: “The markets in which we operate remain highly competitive and duty fraud is still a major problem.

“The number of convenience stores opened by the multiples continues to increase and the impact on our retail customers is huge. We are doing everything possible to help them develop their businesses to compete with this threat.”

In this context, Grimes said that the Go Local initiative operates as a three-tier retail club, with over 1,000 shopkeepers participating in the promotions. More than 100 of them carry one or other of the Go Local fascias.

The catering channel and Click & Collect are other growth areas for Parfetts.

Tel: Parfetts C&C 0161-429 0429


CHILLED DESSERTS JOIN BEST-IN RANGE

The Best-in chilled range has three new twin-pack desserts – tiramisu, caramel panna cotta and profiteroles.

Each is dual price-marked at £1.59 or two for £3 and offer an ‘attractive’ profit on return. The packs (2 x 90g for the tiramisu and profiteroles and 2 x 120g for caramel panna cotta) have a minimum 25-day shelf-life.

Packaging shows the use-by date, country of origin and nutritional information, while allergens are also highlighted in the ingredients list.

Helen Munro, category manager for chilled food at Bestway Wholesale, said: “Over the past few months we have introduced a range of chilled snacks, fresh meat and poultry, fruit & veg, sandwiches and now premium desserts.

“This is a long-term strategy; there is much more innovation to come from Best-in. Chilled & fresh is a vital category in the development of the convenience sector. Shoppers want to see the same value and products in their local store as they see in the multiple chains.

“However, we can’t just introduce a whole raft of chilled in one go. We have to be selective. Consequently, we have limited the launch of the new chilled desserts to three skus.”

The new range is available through Bestway and Batleys branches with a wholesale selling price of £7 for eight twin-packs. The retail margin is 45% when the products are sold singly and 39% as a multi-buy.

Tel: Bestway Wholesale 020-8453 1234 


SOCIAL MEDIA FOR JJ FOOD SERVICE

JJ Food Service has launched ‘What’s Cooking?’ – a short movie on You Tube, Twitter and Facebook aimed at sharing new menu ideas created by customers using the wholesaler’s products.

Sue GuilfoyleThe first episode, filmed at Temptation Café in Clerkenwell, central London, shows a hot roast pork brioche with crackling and apple sauce.

Sue Guilfoyle (pictured right), JJ Food Service national account manager, said: “We appreciate that people are short on time, so we consider that the punchy, 30-second format is spot on.”

Tel: JJ Food Service (0843) 309 0991

Published Date: March 13, 2015
Category: Wholesale Industry News