Morrisons fresh food trading director Jane Speakman told Re:fresh delegates last week that the retailer having its own packhouses not only gives it a competitive edge, but also enhances its grower relationships and therefore the quality of the product it can supply to consumers.
“It allows us to work directly with growers,” said Speakman. “It is more work for us, but it means we can make sure we give our customers the right quality, visual as well as eating quality. For example, everyone is keen to have the first English Cox to market, but does it deliver?… We believe in not providing the product unless it eats well but there is competition in the market to lead on seasonality.”
"We push back on that because we want to make sure we are offering product in season and that it absolutely delivers. Last season we held off launching Cox apples because we didn’t feel delivered on eating quality and if you go into the season too early, people won’t come back later in the season.”
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