Cheese Retailers April 2024

50 @specialityfood TRYING OUT NEW TYPES OF CHEESE HELPS US UNDERSTAND HOWWE CAN HOLD ONTO CUSTOMER FAVOURITESWHILE TESTING THE PALATES OF CHEESE LOVERS “We want to increase our engagement across our social media platforms to reach a wider audience of cheese lovers, avid foodies or people who are yet to step into the word of cheese, to share the passion we hold in the shop with our followers,” says Katie. BOOSTING SOCIALS IN 2024 Revisited For the teamat The Cheeseworks in Cheltenham, collaboration is the name of the game for 2024 after a successful year of cheese selling and events. “We’re proud to say that our tasting events are as popular as ever!” says Katie Marjai, storemanager. “We hold themevery other Friday of eachmonth and almost always have a full turn out, with everyone enjoying the chance to sample our cheese and wines, ciders or ports from across the UK and further afield.” “We hope to reach out and createmore partnerships with venues and corporate companies whomight be interested in tasting events or introducing something new to their businesses like our cheese wedding cakes,” she continues. “We’ve increased our networking with new and upcoming suppliers and venues who in turn help recommend us to their own clients.” While business at The Cheeseworks boomed in 2024, that’s not to say that the past 12 months have been entirely smooth sailing. “As a business we face challenges like any other,” says Katie. “In the last year we’ve seen an increase in our suppliers’ prices, so we do our best to keep our own prices as affordable as possible. This isn’t always easy, especially when other The Cheeseworks independent suppliers have to raise their own costs in order tomanage inflation rates.” Smart stocking and selling is the way to healthy customer base and bottom line, Katie and the teamhave found. “Understanding customer tastes is as important as ever,” she says. “Our shop has over a hundred varieties of cheese, and though themajority are available all year round, trying out new types helps us understand howwe can hold onto customer favourites while testing the palates of cheese lovers so we can offer a wider variety of unusual but equally delicious cheeses.” Keeping an eye on food waste has also proven to be of benefit, and is something The Cheeseworks is keen tomaintain. “Preventing waste is really important to us,” Katie says – they have even set up shop on the Too Good To Go app in order to sell food that would otherwise go to waste at discounted prices. “Some peoplemay never have stepped foot in the shop but seen us on app and been pleasantly surprised with the selection we have to offer!”