As the demand for healthier products grows it's important your shelves reflect what customers are looking for. But is it financially worthwhile selling fresh fruit and veg and alternatives to the best-selling chocolate and snack brands?
As part of our Healthy Balance campaign, we spoke to independent retailers and manufacturers to find out the margins that can be achieved by stocking certain healthier products. These products performed well and in some cases better than some of the more mainstream lines.
And while we're not suggesting you clear out the crisps and chocolate completely, it's clear from the figures that healthy products can also deliver healthy margins.
Simon Biddle, who owns Biddle's Convenience Store in Webheath, Worcestershire, knows the benefits of stocking fresh fruit and veg better than most, having started out in business as a greengrocer.
He admits retailers have to keep on top of wastage, but he's adamant fresh fruit and veg can contribute to a healthy business and says: "We try to work on a profit margin of about 35-40% on the fruit and veg we buy from the wholesale market in Birmingham. We cover a complete range, from mangoes right through to broccoli.
"As the market price can vary, we also change our prices and offer various fruit on special offer, meaning we get better margins. As our store started off as a greengrocers, we've really done the opposite to what many convenience stores have done. As they have added fresh fruit and veg to their offering, we've added in more convenience products.
"It's definitely the way forward. The fruit and veg shelves take up about 30% of the space in the store, but the category also makes up 30% of our sales. We're definitely selling a bit more as people look for healthier options. Bananas are doing well as parents look for something quick and easy to put in their children's lunchboxes."
As part of our Healthy Balance campaign, we spoke to independent retailers and manufacturers to find out the margins that can be achieved by stocking certain healthier products. These products performed well and in some cases better than some of the more mainstream lines.
And while we're not suggesting you clear out the crisps and chocolate completely, it's clear from the figures that healthy products can also deliver healthy margins.
Retailer's view
Simon Biddle, who owns Biddle's Convenience Store in Webheath, Worcestershire, knows the benefits of stocking fresh fruit and veg better than most, having started out in business as a greengrocer.
He admits retailers have to keep on top of wastage, but he's adamant fresh fruit and veg can contribute to a healthy business and says: "We try to work on a profit margin of about 35-40% on the fruit and veg we buy from the wholesale market in Birmingham. We cover a complete range, from mangoes right through to broccoli.
"As the market price can vary, we also change our prices and offer various fruit on special offer, meaning we get better margins. As our store started off as a greengrocers, we've really done the opposite to what many convenience stores have done. As they have added fresh fruit and veg to their offering, we've added in more convenience products.
"It's definitely the way forward. The fruit and veg shelves take up about 30% of the space in the store, but the category also makes up 30% of our sales. We're definitely selling a bit more as people look for healthier options. Bananas are doing well as parents look for something quick and easy to put in their children's lunchboxes."
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