Summer 2014

Speciality Bites with

Paul Hargreaves

Chief executive of Cotswold Fayre

• Becoming a B Corp
• Top trend predictions for Christmas 2021
• Self-sacrifice: The importance of building a leadership legacy centred on others
• Undercover Boss
• Can/should bosses really be close friends with their staff?

Well, we have just had the hottest weekend of the year, so I am expecting a large upsurge in our soft drink sales this week. It’s time to think about summer merchandising

Aside from Christmas the months of June and July are often the best of the year for speciality food retailers as the warmer weather means that people in the UK are out more, tend to treat themselves and their guests for parties and barbeques and sales of snacks, drinks and barbeque-type products especially can go through the roof.

This year is a World Cup year, and whilst England traditionally have no chance at all, in previous years when this also has been the case, football world cups more than any other event tend to have a negative effect on speciality food sales.  I am not quite sure why this is, but perhaps possibly that people go out less as they are glued to their TV sets.  However, I am hoping this year, that with the games being early or late evening, the shopping for food and drink with be already done for the day and we may all not suffer!

So perhaps we should look at some products that are suitable for munching during the world cup matches or indeed whilst sitting in the garden trying to avoid the football.  I would normally say that the food of the nation hosting the world cup would go well, but I am not sure UK consumers know much about Brazilian food.  That said, there are some Brazilian meal kits around such as those from Kent’s Kitchen - Brazilian Feijoada and Moqueca Capixaba – (glad I am writing this and not speaking it!)  What better to munch on healthily during the match than some savoury popcorn, far healthier than crisps ad just as tasty.  Savoury popcorns are an increasingly important category and Portlebay Popcorn has become our largest snack brand over the last 12 months – the Maple Syrup and Bacon is to die for. 

Traditionally the best-selling products during World Cups are lagers and whilst beer sales in the supermarkets will go into overdrive, you may want to draw the line at stocking Carlsberg!  Speciality beers, however, are an important part of a farm shop or deli offering though and also ciders.  I was visiting a farm shop at the weekend and was offered a lovely glass of Gloucestershire cider before I entered the shop.  Also how about pushing some non-alcoholic alternatives.  Qcumber has been one of our best soft drink launches this year – very refreshing and actually great with gin too!  Monday morning – and I am thinking of a gin and tonic - not good!

Have a great week!