The Country Range Group’s latest Virtual Business Development Days took place in March and, once again, proved a huge success in bringing the foodservice community together during these difficult times.
The event allows suppliers to communicate “face-to-face” with key decision makers from each member wholesaler of the Group. The meeting content varied from suppliers showcasing their latest product innovations and additional support activities through presentations, live demonstrations and sampling through to tailored meetings specifically focusing upon product performance and future business plans.
A total of 110 delegates and 31 suppliers including Lakeland Dairies, Premier Foods and Unilever Food Solutions took part in the four-day sessions, which are run in a speed networking format lasting thirty minutes and allow suppliers to send samples in advance to make the sessions as interactive as possible.
A variety of product innovations were featured across the sessions including new Marvel products from Premier Foods, plant-based products from Naked Glory and many more.
Country Range Group Commercial Director Martin Ward said: “It’s imperative that suppliers are still able to communicate clearly and efficiently with our member wholesalers during these tough times about their latest product innovations, industry support initiatives and business plan updates, and our Virtual BDD events allow exactly that. The feedback from both suppliers and members thus far has been fantastic and we’re looking forward to rolling out more events throughout the year.”
Jason Coyle, Director of Invisible Chef Snacks, added: “The Country Range Group Virtual Business Development Days were both simple and efficient in terms of participation and also very successful from a supplier perspective, with guaranteed 30-minute meetings with key decision makers from each of the Group’s member wholesalers. As a result, we have genuine interest from 10 new perspective wholesale partners and actually agreed new listings during the event itself.”
Further Virtual Business Development Days are to be run by the Country Range Group later in the year as part of their Virtual Events Programme and any suppliers interested in being involved are asked to email enquiries@countryrange.co.uk or to contact their usual Country Range Group trading contact if they are already an existing supplier to the Group.
About the Country Range Group
With over 25 years of heritage servicing the UK & Ireland’s innovative foodservice sector, the Country Range Group is made up of 12 independent wholesalers – Birchall Foodservice, Blakemore Foodservice, Caterite Foodservice, Creed Foodservice, Dunns Food and Drinks, EFG Foodservice, Harvest Fine Foods, Henderson Foodservice, Savona Foodservice, Thomas Ridley Foodservice, Trevors Foodservice and Turner Price.
In addition to offering the leading brands from around the globe, the Group also provides over 800 products, all developed exclusively for professional caterers under the Country Range brand. Covering grocery, chilled, frozen and non-food, Country Range is widely recognised by caterers as a trusted and reliable brand delivering consistent quality and value for money without compromising on taste and flavour.
The Group also publishes its trade magazine Stir it up 10 times a year, which features the latest food, drink and industry news, Country Range brand promotions and in-depth trend reports and sector specific guides to support and inspire all foodservice caterers.