Cheese Retailers April 2024

44 @specialityfood Whilemany independent retailers pride themselves on the relationships they have with their suppliers and the producers who fill their shelves and displays, not all were founded with themission to wholly celebrate the work thesemakers do. Indie Fude, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland and founded by Johnny McDowell in 2014, prides itself on the relationships the business has with the stand-out producers of the region. While Indie Fude’s mission is noble, the teamhas experienced its fair share of challenges over the past 12 months – but the local network it has developed since it was launched has more than come through. “Likemany small businesses the past year has been challenging, particularly with regards to rising costs – particularly energy costs and rising supply costs – however we have continued to gather support of our local HAVING STAFFWHOAREAS PASSIONATEASWEAREASOWNERSABOUT OURETHOSREALLY COMESACROSS TOOUR CUSTOMERS communities who really have embraced our ethos of supporting and shopping local.” These additional costs faced by the business have been passed on to customers in the formof higher prices, yet the passion of shoppers to support local producers remains steadfast. With such an important mission at its heart, it is vital that staff members believe in the business’s ethos. “Great staff are everything,” Johnny says, “and having staff who are as passionate as we are as owners about our ethos really comes across to our customers.” Keeping these “brilliant” staff in employment is a proud achievement for Johnny, as is keeping to their strong ethos around supporting only local producers. Plus, “Winning the Slow Food delicatessen for Northern Ireland again was a lovely bonus for all of us,” he says. The future looks bright for Indie Fude. The team’s plan, says Johnny, is to “build on what we have through our stores and bringmore of the Indie Fude goodness to our online offering.” The Indie Fude network is growing; “we have some wonderful mini food tours in the offing, based in the areas around our stores, that will hopefully help us shout about the other great independent food businesses around us as well.” Revisited IndieFude Themost important lesson learned by the Indie Fude team, says Johnny, is the value of provenance. “Quality and provenance are not only important to us but our customers as well,” he says. “By not compromising we have happy food-loving customers as well as strengthening relationships with our wonderful artisan producers.” KEY LESSONS