HEADLINES THIS WEEK:

– BRAKES LAUNCHES ETHNIC RANGE
– CONSUMERS SHOP AROUND MORE
– SPAR INDIAN AND ORIENTAL SELECTION

BRAKES LAUNCHES ETHNIC RANGE

Celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala put on a show at the new Brakes Food Market in Croydon – and then did some shopping there.

Todiwala, who owns and runs one of the top Indian restaurants in central London, Café Spice Namaste, showed off his skills as part of a World Food Festival marking the launch of the wholesaler’s Indian, Asian and Caribbean range. He was also there to support Mum’s The Chef, a local social enterprise which tackles long-term unemployment among ethnic women.

Left to right: Brakes’ head chef Neil Smith, celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala and former England cricketer Mark Butcher.

Also attending the event was former England and Surrey cricketer Mark Butcher and a troupe of Bollywood dancers.

Visitors enjoyed free food and drink, face painting and henna tattoos, as well as other cooking demonstrations, including one from Brakes’ head chef Neil Smith.

The indoor Food Market is stocked, designed and staffed with caterers in mind. It carries more than 4,000 product lines. The ethnic range alone features over 300 lines for Indian and Asian restaurants including a selection of Halal meat, specialist foods like Chana Dal and favourites such as king prawns.

Store operations director Martin Sandler said: “It was a really good day and we are pleased with how everything went and how our new range was received.”

Tel: Brakes Group (01233) 206000.

CONSUMERS SHOP AROUND MORE

Shoppers are using, on average, four types of grocery shop each month – including symbols and unaffiliated independents – according to the IGD’s Shopper Vista research. And more are visiting two or more outlets on the same trip.

The data shows shows that 47% use several styles of grocery store on the same trip – up from 42% last year.

More shoppers are visiting two or more outlets on the same trip.

The IGD said that 55% of shoppers use coupons when food and grocery shopping and 44% shop at a specific time to take advantage of the ‘reduced to clear’ section.

IGD chief executive Joanne Denney-Finch said the most popular shopping combination is supermarkets, convenience stores and food and high street discounters.

She added: “There are more grocery choices available, whether it’s additional convenience and discount stores, or extra online shopping options, such as home delivery subscription services.”

Tel: IGD (01923) 857141.

SPAR INDIAN AND ORIENTAL SELECTION

SPAR introduced its new Indian and Oriental food range last month at a curry night for 200 troops at RAF Brize Norton at Carterton, Oxon.

The 17-strong own-brand selection, which the symbol group is projecting to be worth £3.4m, consists of ready meals, accompaniments and stir fry dishes, as well as six totally new lines: Chicken Jalfrezi with Rice, 450g; Lamb Rogan Josh with Rice, 450g; Thai Green Chicken Curry with Rice, 450g; Chicken in Blackbean with Rice, 450g; Sweet Chilli Stir Fry Sauce, 180g; and Chinese Stir Fry Sauce, 180g.

The range, which appears in stores this month, is being advertised on television from from 13-26 October as part of SPAR’s national media campaign.

During this period, the new ethnic ready meals will be on promotion at two for £4, while four Onion Bhajis and four Vegetable Spring Rolls will be on offer for £1.

As one of four ‘transformational strategies’ within the group’s Growing Together plan, major investment is being made in own- label, said SPAR UK brand director Susan Darbyshire. “We are committed to creating a fantastic, profitable own-brand range for retailers that is relevant to customer needs locally and offers excellent quality and prices.”

The launch at Brize Norton was relevant to SPAR’s customer base. Three years ago, it expanded its contract with ISS Facility Services to supply a further 17 stores at 14 RAF sites across the UK.

Tel: SPAR UK 020-8426 3700.