What Makes An Independent Retailer Of The Year?

“It’s a case of bringing in new products that people want,” says Mrs Wareing who owns Wareings of Tarleton, in Lancashire, with husband Clive.

“This year it’s garlic and wild rocket, both of which are selling extremely well because we’re the only retailer on the Farmers’ Market trail to offer them,” she adds.

With over 50 different products, including purple carrots and pink fur apple potatoes, the couple pride themselves on offering a point of difference.

“We work a 50-week year, including weekends, so that we can continue developing what we do,” says Mrs Wareing. “We grow novel and staple, quality vegetables which are unlike anything our customers can find in the supermarkets,” she adds.

The business developed from a wholesaler into an independent nine years ago, when the family witnessed the demise of fellow grocers and recognised an ongoing opportunity to fill the gap created by the multiples.

“Supermarkets will always take a big share of the trade so it’s really important that the independents know how to diversify,” says Mrs Wareing.

This passion for progress was identified by celebrity, Simon Rimmer, in the ITV show, Grub’s Up, which last aired in December 2008. Six months on, the coverage continues to attract new custom.

“This sort of publicity is priceless – we still have so many people coming up to us because they’ve seen us on the show,” says Mrs Wareing. “Simon is a normal, down-to-earth guy who really knows his stuff and it’s great to be associated with his quality food ethos,” she adds.

Taking every opportunity to raise the profile of the business further still, the Wareings also visit local schools.

“We do lots of work with a secondary school in Preston,” explains Mrs Wareing. “We show the kids how the vegetables should look in their natural state – it’s amazing how many of them have never seen celery with its top on, or carrots before they’ve been washed and packaged,” she adds.

At the other end of the spectrum, the family also deliver vegetables direct to the door of some of their older customers. “Every Friday evening we deliver veg to six of our oldest customers. It’s time consuming but worth it,” says Mrs Wareing.

The Fresh Approach Independent Retailer of the Year award marks this commitment to the industry, but Mrs Wareing is modest about the achievement.

“Clive always says it’s hard work getting to the top but it’s equally hard to stay there. While the business has 100 years of experience behind it, we know we still need to keep growing,” concludes Mrs Wareing.

This year’s Re:fresh conference took place in London on the 28th May. Gregg Wallace introduced the event, offering his perspective on today’s industry. Jane Kennedy, DEFRA minister, also attended the conference.