Dried fruit business

[cqueen]

Hi all,

I'm thinking about importing dried fruit for re-sale in the UK.

My main concern is: When other businesses (my potential customers) buy thier dried fruit, they probably just pick it up off the shelf in the cash & carry type sceanrio. How can I get businesses to 'go out of their way' to buy from me? I would only sell the best quality stuff, but even so - I can't see that changing peoples purchasing habbits.

Any thoughts or sugguestions (on anything regarding this business idea) welcome.

Thanks

 

[14A]

Is there much call for dried fruit?

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

Erm.... Deliver.

 

[Gill]

Hello

Sorry you may have provided this information but can you humour me.

Are you thinking of selling your dried fruit to other businesses only in bulk (cash & carry/distributors) or for individuals via retail outlets - wholesale for resale (health food shops and those awful supermarkets) or for individual use through a website?

I have some ideas..........

Is there a call for dried fruit - it is a Godsend - you know what it is like someone is popping around and you've nothing in - shove the dried fruit in a bowl, soak it in Brandy/sherry/whatever get your face on - blob some yogurt/cream/whatever on it, sprinkle of cinammon - hey presto!

 

[Tej]

Is there a call for dried fruit - it is a Godsend - you know what it is like someone is popping around and you've nothing in - shove the dried fruit in a bowl, soak it in Brandy/sherry/whatever get your face on - blob some yogurt/cream/whatever on it, sprinkle of cinammon - hey presto!

Do you put all that stuff on your face?.. I know you are a little blonde ( as mentioned in your other thread)....quite a mixed pickle

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Make up full do it yourself kits, like fruite cake etc so you sell the whole or as close to whole ingredients required in correct measurements, with full instructions, Mrs Beatons original fruit cake, Mrs Beatons fruit scones etc

 

[Gill]

Do you put all that stuff on your face?.. I know you are a little blonde ( as mentioned in your other thread)....quite a mixed pickle

Oh that is brilliant - no, I do apologise, whilst the fruit is rehydrating in the alcohol you should have just enough time to pop on your make up then you should eat the fruit/yogurt combo, delicious and I am sure it could qualify as one of your five a day!!!

Ta daaa!

 

[Gill]

Make up full do it yourself kits, like fruite cake etc so you sell the whole or as close to whole ingredients required in correct measurements, with full instructions, Mrs Beatons original fruit cake, Mrs Beatons fruit scones etc

That was one of my ideas!

 

[Vending Siting Services]

I suggest you do your market research as there are many suppliers of dried fruit/nuts etc and they offer delivery services and their prices are very competitive.

An earlier poster has asked, are you looking to wholesale or to sell direct to customers already bagged?

Kind regards.

Barbara Fellowes

 

[cqueen]

I'm purely at idea stage at the moment. I would be more interested in whole sale as I think I'd have to sell a LOT of stuff to make much profit. As a customer I find the quality from supermarkets, health food stores is pretty dire and have found a possible supplier abroad for good stuff.

 

[cqueen]

I'm purely at idea stage at the moment. I would be more interested in wholesale as I think I'd have to sell a LOT of stuff to make much profit.

By wholesale I mean direct to manufacturers, bakeries etc. I dont want to have to convince a store to put my product on the shelf (maybe in time but not right away).

 

[Jheath]

Two companies well established in this market are David Hider of Hider Food Imports in Hull, and Sleaford Quality Foods in...er...Sleaford!
Many wholesalers will buy forward contracts from brokers as prices change depending on crop quality, the weather and demand, as well as currency changes etc. It's a mature, capital intensive low margin business.

 

[cqueen]

Ah, I see! perhaps leave it in 'idea land' then

 

[sellickbhoy]

first off, look around the existing suppliers and see what they supply - is it all really crap?

I'd expect the supermarket stuff to be, but my local health food store sells great dried fruit and she gets it from a wholesaler

she says there are actually several "quite" local suppliers and the quality is pretty consistent between them - she uses the wholesaler she does based on a mixture of price and convenience for her

so, i think yo need to be sure that there is a need for good quality stuff - are you sure there is actually a dearth of quality produce?

And based on what quality is currently available - is there a demand for better quality produce? (there generally will be if the price isn't prohibitive - so you need to figure out your price point)

then, how are you gonna sell it?

brand it yourself and sell on to retail outlets? if so, what price can yo package it and sell it to them at so that they can sell it at a reasonable price - can you do it?

then you have trade sales - bakers/food manufacturers - again, is a better quality product their biggest concern or are they price driven?

I think your best route (leasy hassle anyway) if you can get a cheap prodict is to sell into the existing wholesalers - so you need to compete on the price of existing supplies, unless you have an exceptionally better product

good luck

 

[jelly3]

Hi all,

I'm thinking about importing dried fruit for re-sale in the UK.

My main concern is: When other businesses (my potential customers) buy thier dried fruit, they probably just pick it up off the shelf in the cash & carry type sceanrio. How can I get businesses to 'go out of their way' to buy from me? I would only sell the best quality stuff, but even so - I can't see that changing peoples purchasing habbits.

Any thoughts or sugguestions (on anything regarding this business idea) welcome.

Thanks

Ah, I see! perhaps leave it in 'idea land' then

You give up too easily, you will never be Richard Branson doing that.
Look at this.

http://www.graze.com/

 

[sellickbhoy]

Jelly3

fantastic, that is something I can easily do!! Love that idea!!

thanks!!!!!!