Speciality Bites from Paul Hargreaves of Cotswold Fayre

If anyone has watched “Mary, Queen of Shops” most recent series, you will have heard Mary Portas continually banging on about service .  As I mentioned last week, service is one of the key differentials between large retailers and small, independent retailers i.e. the small retailer actually cares about the customer and wants to give good service whereas most staff in the large retailers don’t give a monkey’s.  Well, that’s the theory, anyway, one quite borne out by some of the rather grumpy characters featured in the recent series. (more…)

The Oscars of the food world are upon us again.

I think all the judging is complete and the Gold Award winners will be announced over the summer with the grand awards ceremony at Fortnum & Mason’s on 6th September.  I say “I think” the judging is complete as I wasn’t invited to judge this year.  I believe I upset the Guild of Fine Food Retailers last year by using my calculator to calculate the revenue from the entries, and making a note that the judges weren’t paid their expenses!  (more…)

What a great summer so far, although as I write this I hear of heavy rain in the North-West. I can’t remember the last time it rained in the South. Great weather for BBQ products and drinks sales; I hope you are all making the most of it.

It is always at the hottest time of year that my team are focusing on Christmas more than any other time of year. The sales team are out getting orders (100% up on last year so far), which shows a certain degree of optimism about the economic conditions! (more…)