Mark Cleary, owner of Spar Walkden, near Manchester, is tapping into demand for on-trend healthy products.
He says: “I think there has been an increase in demand for healthy products. Our range isn’t the biggest but we do try and give people the option and have a good selection of gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan lines for customers to choose from.
“We have recently extended our healthy snacking range, which includes nuts, bars and other snacks, because these products seem to be most on-trend at the moment.
They are doing well so far. We stock a mixed range from three or four of the top selling brands, including Grenade. It usually depends what’s on promotion.
”When we have offers running, we move some products to the front of the store while also keeping a permanent range of healthy snacks in their own section next to chocolate and sweets.
”We’ve cut down on the number of confectionery lines we have to make room for other lines which seems to have worked well. It’s difficult because things that work for some retailers don’t necessarily work for others so we don’t want to focus on just one area in particular.
“It is all about trying to keep up with all the trends by going to trade shows, seeing what’s out there in the trade press and talking to our wholesaler of course.”
Star performers: “Protein bars are probably the most popular product within our expanded healthy snacking range.”
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