Brakes Scotland embrace digital post lockdown and think ahead to Christmas
Like all businesses, Brakes Scotland are adapting to the current challenges and really embracing digital as a new platform to touch base with chefs. First of its kind, the Scottish digital brochure allows chefs to easily view the range of 600 Scottish products in 29 pages and is full of small artisan producers giving small producers nationwide coverage. John McLintock, Operations Director for Brakes Scotland said “we wanted to make it easier than ever for our customers to be able to shop our Scottish products across the 13 categories from meat, fish and seafood, desserts and ice cream to alcohol and catering supplies. It is a compliment to the businesses owners and entrepreneurs in Scotland that there are so many thriving small to medium food and drink companies in our country. I am delighted to recognise these quality products in our brochure and encourage food and drink outlets to seek out and source Scottish products where they can to keep the Scottish economy moving, for everyone’s benefit.”
Initial thoughts on the brochure are encouraging with Scott Gilmour from Seamill Hydro commenting; “the future is here, I’m impressed!” and Brakes Scotland are busy working away on their first app, due to launch in a couple of months. To view the brochure visit: http://edition.digital/PoLA
Brakes launched the brochure during Scotland Food and Drink Fortnight alongside a short supplier video with the objective to bring many businesses in the tourism industry and our supply chain back to life and give businesses a point of difference. The video highlights Brakes Scotland unwavering commitment to the Scottish hospitality industry and its suppliers too. Lorna Allison, Marketing Manager for Brakes Scotland said; “Our campaign launched the week of Scotland Food and Drink Fortnight, we joined a meeting with 9 of our suppliers to talk about their journeys pre and post lockdown and it’s great to see such a positive outlook from our suppliers, the video highlights the benefits of collaboration and the impact on hospitality as a whole and really a plea to the industry to continue to support and buy local.” To view the video:
So, what does the future hold? With Christmas looming, the hospitality industry is in a constant state of flux with ever changing Government information based on the severity of the virus and those that adapt will survive. A recent questionnaire to 500 Brakes customers found 44% suggested they would still go ahead with Christmas, launching their Christmas menus on 30th November, albeit with restricted numbers. Encouragingly though, less than 10% said they would forgo a Christmas menu this year. The success of the Eat out to Help out scheme has proved that customers want to eat out and Brakes and other wholesalers continue to lobby for a further Government led incentive to allow a successful Christmas. Interestingly, delivery for many customers has been a lifeline for their business during lockdown and we suggest it’s wise to look at a ‘heat and eat’ delivery option for Christmas too especially if local lockdown measures are further imposed, perhaps staff can enjoy a Christmas meal back in the office? However, we know operators will have many other questions too; will customers plan to make bookings? Will there be restrictions in party sizes and restrictions on sharing foods? Could bookings come in very late if confidence improves later in the year? If people have booked, there is a risk there could be an increased level of cancellations. There could be a massive swing in the nation’s mood if there is no second spike…..….
In all scenarios, it will be difficult to predict volumes and plan for the traditional turkey and Christmas pudding menu for 30 people. So that’s, where we come in – Brakes have invested time into the “flexibility” required for this Christmas and more information, the perfect products and inspiration can be found here: https://www.brake.co.uk/inspirational-food/special-occasions/christmas
