What’s New For 2016?

January is over, a month of abstinence and household economies post the Christmas excess is resigned to memory for another year. So what about the rest of 2016? What have we got planned and what should we be looking out for?

I’ve just returned from my first trade show of 2016. It was very encouraging, not only from Paxton’s point of view, but also in terms of what I saw and what was being said. So, putting one foot in front of the other, here are my thoughts on what you should be looking our for/doing in 2016:

Free From that has FLAVOUR! Free From foods have historically not had a great run in the taste department but I’ve seen some encouraging new products come onto the market that have great flavour. At Paxtons we’ve developed a new range of Cracker Bakes that are gluten free that taste delicious. They come in two flavours – Apricot, Date & Sunflower Seed and Multiseed & Cracked Black Pepper. See what’s out there and engage your customers’ taste buds!

Provenance This may not be a new trend but it’s still important in your customers’ minds. Think local, think traceability and think delicious. Customers will love you for it.

Small & Easy We are all pushed for time and we are more and more aware of food waste. Small & Easy, e.g. small versions of confits and chutneys, is something I’m seeing more of. Quick items that customers can use in one go with no leftovers that hang around. Easy to use and finish. We have been, and will be continuing to expand our Small & Easy offer for wholesale customers.

#ThinkSocial Social media isn’t new but how it’s being used is changing. If you’ve not embraced it for your business start now! A picture tells a thousand words, so get your Instagram account set up and help customers learn about your business – products, the team, the whole story. It’s free, you can learn as you go along, you can work with your team on it, and you can have some fun! #haveago

One final thing, it’s not a trend, it’s not new-age blue sky thinking, but it’s important. Don’t forget your customer and how you serve them in everything that they do – from the moment they enter your front door to the point that they leave.

Look out for all of the above and I hope the rest of 2016 will be a successful one. Good luck!