Suppliers & Stock
Basics and Beyond
Everyday items get people through the door on an everyday basis, so that’s where we started – stocking up on a wide range of products with the help of a local wholesaler, a nearby bakery and butcher, as well as a number of trusted brand suppliers.
With the basic ingredients in place, we could start adding a local flavour – in our case a Yorkshire Wall dedicated to produce from the region including jams, gins, baked goods and gifts. We even stocked our own range of CFCS branded pasta, wine, flour and rice, proudly promoting the local economy to customers and friends who enjoy supporting local businesses – these products also make great Christmas gifts for family and friends!
As an added bonus, with an amazing pool of local talent, we have a carefully selected display of quality homemade craft items including baby blankets, candles and hand-carved wooden utensils – and the ubiquitous bunting (of course!).
Keep it Local…
Most households need bread and milk (including the gluten-free/dairy-free options!) so that’s where we started…
Our local dairyman delivers to CFCS 6-days a week, during opening hours, on a demand & supply basis – in other words we only buy what we need to ‘top up’ which helps prevent over stocking or waste. Our commitment to the environment ensures that glass bottled milk and orange juice is always available.
An award-winning bakery is located only 3 miles away and deliveries are also made up to 6 times a week. Bread rolls, fresh loaves and cakes can be ordered as demand arises, including any ‘special’ orders from customers. During the recent COVID-19 lockdown when fresh produce was not easily accessible by our rural community this proved to be comforting and reassuring to our local residents.
For meat products, we have an another award-winning supplier located only a few miles away which also specialises in freshly-baked pastry items on their premises including pork pies, Cornish pasties, family-size meat pies, as well as a selection of high quality cooked meats.
This flexible approach between CFCS and local suppliers allowed us to guarantee fresh staple food was always available 7-days a week and we continue to sell out of most items by the end of each day!
CFCS are supporting local businesses (especially during difficult times) by nurturing our relationship with them, as well as ensuring our community has the best possible produce on their doorstep, every day of the week.
Read all About it…
The existing shop already had an on-going relationship with a newspaper supplier offering a national network supply and CFCS continued with this arrangement. They offered delivery of daily, weekly and monthly publications on a ‘sale or return’ basis.
As with most rural areas, the supply of daily newspapers is an important requirement for the community. CFCS operate a newspaper ordering service which is managed via a simple daily log sheet. In addition, there is an supply of all daily and weekly newspapers including monthly magazines available on the shelf.
It goes without saying that customers who ‘pop in for a newspaper’ generally purchase other items at the same time. This is where the ‘impulse’ purchases (which you have carefully positioned close to the till) are good opportunity to increase sales, as well as any other basic grocery supplies the customer needs.
So getting the newspaper supply right, is an absolute must for any community shop wanting to thrive and does not involve any risk in terms of over ordering from the supplier. All it takes is a little admin work (orders, vouchers and returns) on a daily basis.
See www.menziesdistribution.com/newstrade-distribution/retail-customers
What Else is Local?
CFCS is particularly proud of the 'Yorkshire Wall’ whose inspiration came from a desire to create a ‘dresser’ display (as seen in local farm shop – get out and about for your own inspirational sources).
We are blessed with a multitude of local providers in our region who were delighted to become part of our vision. However many other regions around the UK have their own suppliers right on their doorsteps who already supply to national chains and retail outlets but are often less known to their own local area.
For inspiration in your area visit these useful websites; www.bigbarn.co.uk and www.artisanfoodtrail.co.uk/events
Inspire others
Take your mood board along when visiting potential suppliers so you can share your plans and aspirations.
Exclusive deals
Try to keep one supplier for one type of product e.g. one jam & preserves, gin, biscuits & cakes and flour etc. The word ‘exclusivity’ is appealing to the smaller local suppliers.
Try before you buy
Do not be afraid to negotiate a minimum order quantity. Local suppliers will appreciate your cautious approach to a new venture - they were possibly in the same position not so long ago.
Flexible choices
The benefits of dealing with multiple suppliers outweigh the additional admin involved:
- Your customers will will have more choice and buy good quality produce.
- Your stock will be varied, in some cases local, and can be updated and rotated regularly.
- You are more flexible to consider alternative suppliers for some products.
The Essentials
CFCS has developed a network with key suppliers of essential products from a variety of wholesalers. We have accounts with 3 wholesalers (one large, another local, and one offering cut price products) to provide the backbone of the stock (including alcohol products) and each offer a weekly delivery service.
For basic groceries, there will wholesale suppliers for your own community shop who will have distribution depots in your area.
www.thegrocer.co.uk/rankings/the-30-biggest-wholesalers-in-the-uk-2020/602178.article
Other ‘Nationwide’ suppliers
Bread
Warburtons deliver to our shop three times a week, and CFCS have an account offering access to easy online ordering that can be updated within a 72-hour timeslot. As a household brand name with a wide range of quality products, and a strong community ethos, CFCS continue to regard Warburtons as one of their key reliable suppliers.
Groceries
Operated as a co-operative, with strong ethical credentials, SUMA offer a wide range of quality, Fairtrade competitively priced products, and a regular weekly order is delivered to our door. The range we offer has grown and the brand now boasts its own ‘wall’ in CFCS as the products have continued to increase in popularity with the local community! The brand specialises in organic, vegan, and vegetarian items across a whole range of essential grocery items.
One for the road...
Unlike the previous shop owners, CFCS wanted to obtain a licence to sell alcohol. This has proved to be an extremely popular (and profitable) decision with the community!
A local public house was approached and the licensor kindly agreed to help us complete the necessary UK Government applications for a licence for this to take place. CFCS now sell a wide range of wine, spirits and beers – some of which we have sourced from local suppliers (artisan beers, gin, vodka, rum, as well as well known supplier brands).
Always follow the government guidelines for obtaining a licence if you feel your shop would like to sell alcoholic products.
- Look out for ‘price marked’ items from wholesalers which usually represent good value for money for your customer.
- Ask the sales team for any ‘special deals’ when placing an order as often these represent a good margin.
- Always check the ‘pack quantity’ of items as prices shown are either per item, or for a multi-pack with a minimum order.
- Monitor ‘sell-by’ and ‘best-before’ dates and ensure stock rotation (fill from the back) when filling shelves in the shop and store room.
Above all, ensure your stock offers consistency of product quality, price and delivery
