More than 20 fresh food suppliers for SPAR North of England stores came together for a day of inspiring ideas, company updates, and networking opportunities. It was held at James Hall & Co. Ltd's SPAR Distribution Centre at Bowland View in Preston. The comprehensive session included a chance to share new ideas supported by insight into sector trends, innovation with deals and varieties on fresh lines in SPAR stores, and merchandising concepts that are being trialed in-store.
Suppliers also heard more about the seasonal ranges that are being implemented in SPAR stores across the North of England and the positive impact it is having on sales performance, coupled with the great effect linking inspirational recipes to fresh produce is delivering at the till.
As well as a warehouse tour, other updates included store development examples from across James Hall & Co. Ltd's G&E Murgatroyd company-owned SPAR store estate and SPAR independent retailers.
Wilf Whittle, Fresh Trading Manager at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: "I have been wanting to host a day for our valued fresh food suppliers ever since the pandemic. It is a way of thanking them for their support through exceptionally challenging times and providing them with a vision of what we are trying to achieve as a business so that we are better aligned.
"We had a brilliant mix of suppliers who have supplied James Hall & Co. Ltd for varying lengths of time from several decades, through to a few years, down to brand new growers whose produce was going into SPAR North of England stores in the same week."
Steven Kay, Commercial Director of Huntapac Produce Ltd at Tarleton, Lancashire, said: "We supply James Hall & Co. Ltd with carrots, parsnips, and swede and the relationship is one of our longest standing at 35 years. Wilf is a pleasure to deal with and the strength of Halls is that is a like-minded business.
Chris Johnson, Packing Manager at Red Rose Salads Ltd in Hesketh Bank, Lancashire, said: "We are just launching cooked and packed SPAR-labeled beetroot into stores, so it is a brand-new relationship with James Hall & Co. Ltd."
Holly Ball, Commercial Director at Flavourfresh Salads Ltd in Hundred End, Lancashire, said: "I am relatively new to my role but as a business, we have been suppliers of tomatoes, salads and chillis to SPAR North of England for a few years."
Philip Dodd, Managing Director of Herbs Unlimited in Sandhutton, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, said: "It was lovely to be invited to attend the day alongside fellow growers following our launch of fresh herbs into SPAR North of England stores in January of this year. That move was our first step into retail as a business, and I am very happy with the direction of travel."
For more information:
James Hall & Co. Ltd
[email protected]
www.jameshall.co.uk