NEWS
Hampers are available but retailers’ options are more limited and prices are higher By Greg Pitcher
Major hamper suppliers have sought to calm fears of a shortage of the traditional Christmas produce baskets – but admitted that options would be more limited than usual and prices higher. Both Somersetbased Gadsby and south London’s WBC told FFD they would have plenty of options for delis and farm shops to choose from during the festive season but did point out the impact of increased demand, reduced supply and logistical challenges. Rob Copley, director at Farmer Copleys shop and café in west Yorkshire, said branded hampers ordered from the Far East this summer would not be arriving this year, forcing him to source alternatives. These will sell at £1 in the store rather than almost £5, he said, and not contain the Farmer Copleys name. “The idea was that
you bought someone a gorgeous hamper they could reuse, and filled them with our produce. Not having them impacts on our brand.” Jennifer Horton, owner of The Corbridge Larder in Northumberland, said she was “struggling” to get extra wicker hampers from her usual French supplier and had turned to baskets instead. “Once we run out of hampers, we will either offer a basket or use our jute bags,” she said. “I ordered 2,000 jute bags just in case earlier this year.” Gadsby’s managing director Will Gadsby said a lack of workers to harvest UK wicker had long forced the firm to import all its hampers from the Far East. Delays and price rises were affecting shipping customers worldwide, he added, due to bottlenecks as economies reopened post-pandemic. These
New Belfast food academy will bolster food industry training Ulster University Business School has launched a new educational hub, called Academy: the Centre for Food, Drink and Culture, as it looks to attract more students to the hospitality and food sectors. Located on Ulster University’s enhanced Belfast campus, Academy incorporates a state-ofthe-art restaurant, culinary school, beverage school and conference facilities. As well as giving students hands-on experience, it will provide comprehensive practical support to entrepreneurs, be an open-access learning and cultural centre for the public. Professor Una McMahon-Beattie, Head
of the Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Ulster University said: “As we launch Academy, we will have a renewed focus on equipping students with skills that help them progress in their careers and make a significant and positive contribution to society. Hospitality is central to our economy, culture and identity – and it is our talented graduates who will shape the sector’s character and success.” academyrestaurant.co.uk
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT... HAMPER SHIPPING COSTS ROB COPLEY, FARMER COPLEYS
Suppliers, including WBC, said they do have hampers available to indies but that there have been big cost increases
were being exacerbated by UK road haulage market conditions. “On a lot of items, more than half of our sale price is shipping cost,” he said, adding: “We have no production problems and plenty of stock. We might not have the exact size and style delis want but there are plenty of options available.” WBC managing director Andrew Wilson said the supplier had tried to order 40% more wicker this year
to meet soaring demand but had been thwarted by capacity in Asia. “Producers have not caught up with demand and there are also problems with shipping along with a wet production season in China so they couldn’t dry wicker in the sun. “We still have wicker hampers but we are sold out of bigger sizes. We have introduced a lot more options – card boxes, wooden boxes – we are not going to run out.”
Spanish food wholesaler launches retail division Spanish food importer and wholesaler Mevalco has launched a retail division following increased consumer demand for its products during the pandemic. The distributor’s new retail range has been developed for the independent retail market and includes charcuterie, meats, artisan cheeses, cheese accompaniments and sweets, olives and pickles, pulses and vegetables, olive oils, vinegars, spices, sauces, and seafood. The firm’s joint managing director, David Menendez, said that the retail market was a natural next step for the importer of premium Spanish foods. Menendez said: “We know from the growth of our private clients and from our professional customers that there is a growing appetite from consumers for new, innovative, and inspirational ingredients. “The retail market is exciting to enter, and we are reaching out to independent retailers as well as farm shops across the UK. Our new and innovative retail range is unique, highly relevant and represents the very best of Spain, alongside ‘staple’ ingredients across ambient, chilled, fresh and frozen categories.” mevalco.com
I am told it costs £12,000 to ship a container to the UK now rather than £3,000. We ordered bespoke Farmer Copley branded hampers from China in May but they are not going to be delivered in time for Christmas. There do not seem to be any shipping containers – they are piling up empty at UK ports. WILL GADSBY, MD, GADSBY
We would have paid $1,500 (£1,110) to bring in a container full of hampers and that is now $15,000. More than half of our turnover is from large customers – we sell them full containers. Independents order a small number from the website and we send them a pallet. There are a limited number of shipping lines and prices have gone up and up due to demand after the lockdowns. ANDREW WILSON, MD, WBC
Prices of raw wicker have gone through the roof, while a shipping container for us has gone from £2,000 to £15,000. We usually organise it in April and May so the delivery is here in September to sell before Christmas. Estimating demand is always a fine balance. Most of the smaller retailers want to be able to buy hampers at short notice. Vol.22 Issue 10 | December 2021
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