Looking forward to 2015

16 December 2014, 12:50 pm
Speciality Bites by Paul Hargreaves

It’s that time to reflect on the year before we finish for Christmas. Ok retailers, I know you are far too busy to do that as your shops are packed with hungry consumers, but for those of us on the supply end, the madness is nearly over and we can take stock and start planning next year

I have spent probably a little too long in these ruminations over the last few months reflecting, so time to look forward!

The good news is that from the retailers I have talked to over the last few weeks, after a slow start, many of them seem pleased with Christmas sales to date, and expect to be up year on year when the figures are reviewed after Christmas, which bodes well for the start of next year.  There is nothing like a good Christmas to keep sales going better during the quieter months of the year January and February.

The number of new brands coming through remains as high, if not higher than ever.  We have around 40 new brands to launch in our new catalogue, and this was from an original list of 4-500.  It is a challenge keeping on top and communicating with all the new brands that are sent in to us without appearing to be rude, not our intention at all, but the thought of employing someone just to say “no” doesn’t seem a great idea in a business with tight margins.  Note to self: to find a cost-effective solution for 2015.

It is a challenge I have talked about before, but gone are the days when you can launch a brand into this market, have a great product in good packaging and expect it to fly.  Some do, but many don’t, and it will require considerable energy (and money) to get a new brand to market.  Our new brands have been chosen as much for the products as the energy and enthusiasm of the people behind them.  Let’s hope we have chosen well.  Certainly judging by the energy in the room at our New Supplier’s Conference last Thursday, we should have a storming 2015.

Happy Christmas trading (what’s left of it!)

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