Weekly news summary 30th January 2015
HEADLINES THIS WEEK:
– BRAKES DITCHES PROFESSIONAL FOOD MARKET CONCEPT
– COUNTRY RANGE APPOINT NEW TRADING DIRECTOR
– BIDVEST 3663 LAUNCHES ‘NEW4YOU’ PROMOTION
– DHAMECHA CASH & CARRY SQUASHES NEW MIDLANDS DEPOT REPORTS
BRAKES PROFESSIONAL FOOD MARKET TO CLOSE C&C OPERATION
A project by Brakes to diversify into cash & carry is being discontinued a year after the blueprint branch began trading in Croydon (Cash & Carry Management: November 2014).
Designed to appeal to caterers, the 25,000 sq ft Professional Food Market, which carried 4,000 lines across the fresh, frozen, grocery and non-food categories, failed to attract sufficient business, despite attractive terms being offered to customers over the initial trading period. The company has already announced that no further branches will be opened.
The depot was headed by former local Costco manager Martin Sandler, whose staff of 50 included a butcher and fishmonger.
Softening the blow about the impending closure, Brakes said in a brief statement that, since the new venture began, “the core Brakes business has grown ahead of expectations”.
A pleasing development has been the interest shown by independent customers in e-commerce, with 24% now registered to shop online. In addition, multi-temp services have been launched in several locations.
The statement adds: “We have also announced a joint venture with Fresh Direct to accelerate sales growth in the fresh category – the fastest part of the foodservice market.”
Tel: Brakes Group (01233) 206000
NEW TRADING DIRECTOR FOR COUNTRY RANGE
Martin Ward (below), who has been brand manager at Country Range Group for several years and who recently held a senior purchasing role, has been promoted to trading director.
He takes over from Mike Watson, owner of CRG member Ilfracombe Foodservice.
Watson, whose company is a founding member of CRG, had been trading director since the buying group’s inception 22 years ago. He will continue to play an active part on the group’s trading and main boards.
Ward, who graduated in business studies, first worked at Harvey Nichols in central London before becoming an ingredients buyer for manufacturing companies in the north of England. He joined CRG in 2002.
As trading director, he will be chiefly responsible for implementing the group’s long-term trading strategy.
Tel: Country Range Group (0845) 209 3777
BIDVEST 3663 UNVEILS ‘MUST-STOCK’ PROMOTION
Bidvest 3663 has launched a scheme to promote a select range of branded and own-label goods.
Called New4You, the monthly initiative features four ‘innovative and on-trend’ products, or product ranges, that the wholesaler feels its customers should stock to increase sales.
The opening February batch includes Greek-style yogurts and toppings from Yeo Valley – following the trend for on-the-go breakfast – and lower-than-500 calorie meals from the Authentic Food Co.
Bidvest 3663’s campaign & activation manager Gail Bridgeman said: “We know that the eating-out market is increasingly competitive and that operators must constantly innovate to drive new and repeat custom.
“We invest heavily in NPD and sourcing products that are right for our customers, launching over 2,100 new own-label and branded products each year.
“The New4You range showcases a selection of key products that our experts believe hold great potential for customers to capitalise on industry trends.”
To make further choices for the ongoing promotion, the wholesaler’s sales teams will sample potential New4You products at corporate Customer & Product Spotlight (CAPS) events, which are held three times a year.
The activity runs alongside Bidvest 3663’s existing ‘Give Me a Go’ promotion to support the own-label range.
Tel: Bidvest 3663 (0370) 3663 000
DHAMECHA: ‘TOO EARLY FOR MIDLANDS’
Pradip Dhamecha (left), chief executive of Dhamecha Cash & Carry, has refuted reports that the Wembley-based operator is on the verge of opening a new branch in the Midlands.
He told Cash & Carry Management: “While I can confirm that we have looked at several options in that area, we haven’t quite identified a suitable site.”
When Dhamecha does begin trading in the Midlands, it will be its eighth cash & carry.
The turnover of the company, which has 125 Day-Today members and 550 retail club members who do not carry Today’s Group fascias, was £628 million in the year to March.
Tel: Dhamecha Cash & Carry (0208) 903 8181
