Independent retailers must focus on the convenience market if they want to stay in the game, an award winning wholesaler claimed.
David Matthews, joint md of Re:fresh award winning Bristol Fruit Sales, said if the independent sector is to continue to succeed in the face of multiple competition, convenience is an issue it cannot afford to ignore.
“A lot of the independents just aren’t recognising the convenience sector, they don’t think it’s anything to do with their business,” he said.
“We’re begging our customers to get chiller cabinets into their stores so they can stock things like prepared salads.”
He said the consumer preference throughout the UK was for convenience: “The younger generation have grown up with seven-day shopping, 24 hours a day, eating what they want, when they want it on the hoof. If the independents don’t tackle that sector, then they’ll drive their customers into the multiples.”
Nick Matthews, marketing manager, agreed: “If you don’t offer the service for your customers then they will go to the supermarket to pick up those products, and they will then end up doing all their shopping there.”
He said independent retailers need to be experts in their field if they want to survive: “They have to specialise and offer their customers a point of difference.”
David added: “We’ve got to help them. I think there’s a bright future for the independent sector if they have the courage to make a difference.”
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