Speciality-Food-Magazine-March-2025

8 @specialityfood finalists. The five successful new businesses finalists represent the Midlands, Scotland and South of England. Judge Matt Whelan, managing director of Fieldfare, which champions the Retailer Awards, said, “It is wonderful to meet the inspiring and enthusiastic people behind the Supported by Fabulous Farm Shops, the Farm Retail Association and Go Jute, the shortlist for the 2025 Awards has been announced, with businesses across the UK in line to win best in category, best in region and the overall accolade ‘Retailer of the Year’. Last November Fortnum & Mason in London played host to the judging day, where an esteemed panel of judges came together in person for a day of deliberations and decisions. From this they have created their shortlist of category finalists, whittled down from hundreds of entries, by taking into consideration the achievements retailers have made in the independent sector, and testimonials from suppliers and customers. The 52 successful businesses span seven categories: Butcher, Delicatessen, Farm Shop Large, Farm Shop Small, Independent local shop/ Village store, Online Business and Other Specialist Retailer. They cover seven UK regions: Anglia, Midlands, North of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South of England and Wales. In addition, judges went on to select the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards finalists announced The Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards, championed by Fieldfare and in partnership with The Grocer, are renowned in the sector for recognising and rewarding some of the UK’s best-loved specialist retailers - pillars of their respective communities and champions of great produce and sustainable practice. I s it possible to run a food shop that both follows a strong green agenda and is profitable? Let’s first ask the key question. Why bother? Why go green in the first place? We operate in a tough world dominated by large retail where we, the small independents, have to work extra hard, and where a less green outlet might be more profitable. With even the highest respect for the planet, it can make the model questionable when you are looking to make money. Well, we can probably sing the reasons in unison. Running a food shop with a green agenda as we know can reduce its environmental impact, supports sustainable practices, ideally attracts responsible customers, hopefully promotes healthier choices and ultimately helps conserve resources. That’s all good. But let’s face facts. Green businesses often face higher operational costs; sourcing locally grown produce or artisan products can be more expensive, as can implementing energy-efficient systems or using eco-friendly packaging. These higher costs may need to be passed onto customers, which can reduce price competitiveness. As we know, many consumers prioritise affordability over sustainability and, with an eye on budget may be less willing to pay a premium for green or environmentally friendly options, even if their hearts tell them to. Some consumers might not fully understand or appreciate the long- term benefits of green practices which could lead them to choose a less green and potentially cheaper option instead. So if the shop relies heavily on green practices, it might not attract enough customers who are willing to pay more. This is a tough realisation when we aim to attract as many customers as possible. However, running a food retail outlet that is both environmentally sustainable and profitable should be possible. It does however require careful planning, constant review, and a thoughtful approach to every aspect of the business and strategic decisions. Reducing food waste is crucial. If it works, you might set up systems for composting organic waste and EDWARD BERRY THE FLYING FORK “Sustainable profit” recycling materials. Choosing reusable or biodegradable packaging, or even offering customers the option to bring their own, containers can be a cost saver. It’s not just for the greener outlets, but stock control affects everything so use technology for inventory management, waste tracking, and supply chain optimisation. This can help reduce waste, improve efficiency, and increase profitability. It’s an obvious one today, but invest in energy focussed equipment, like LED lighting, energy-efficient refrigerators, and ovens. If possible, and probably for the farm shop sector particularly, you might consider ways to transition to renewable energy sources such as solar or wind to power your business. Maximising natural light can reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day. It will take work, but these initiatives and investments can reduce your energy bills over time. How about attracting those consumers who are in the loop and want to support a greener shop. There are consumers today who are willing to pay a premium for ethically sourced products understanding that locally grown and seasonal products can reduce our carbon footprint. Shout loudly! Make sure you are evidently doing your bit. Be transparent and share your sustainability efforts with customers, your sourcing practices, waste reduction programmes, and energy-saving initiatives. Sponsor or participate in local environmental initiatives. This not only enhances your green credentials but can also strengthen your local customer base. Offer customers the option to purchase or bring their own reusable containers. This reduces the reliance on disposable packaging. Share your sustainability efforts with your customers through signage, social media, and in-store communication. These can help to build brand loyalty. While a range of factors might make a less green outlet more profitable in the short term, the long-term sustainability of these models will depend on evolving consumer preferences. By incorporating these principles, you can create a food retail outlet that not only meets the needs of today’s eco-conscious consumers but also makes a positive impact on the environment and community. Sustainability doesn’t have to be a huge challenge – it’s about making small, thoughtful choices that add up over time. Sustainability doesn't have to be a huge challenge – it's about making small, thoughtful choices that add up over time businesses. I love finding out more about them, their businesses and their aspirations for the future. The awards finalist announcement has a real buzz to it. It’s great to be there and celebrate the achievements within our industry, network and learn from our colleagues.” Regional winners will be selected from the category finalists, with the ‘Retailer of the Year’, ‘Newcomer of the Year’, ‘Best in Category’ and ‘Best in Region’ awards up for grabs. The winners’ announcement on Monday, 7th April, at Farm Shop & Deli Show, is set to be a fantastic celebration of speciality retailers.