Country Range Group Year-End Results Announced

Even in the face of testing conditions within the foodservice sector and not to mention the BREXIT uncertainty, the Country Range Group has announced YOY sales turnover growth of 9.5% after releasing its final year results for 2018.

Highlighting the strength and tenacity of the Group’s 12 independent wholesalers, total sales reached £460 million in 2018, accounting for organic like-for like sales growth of £30 million.

Showcasing the Country Range Group’s growing purchasing power and how they continue to support and provide opportunities for manufacturers and brands, purchasing through the Group increased by 12% in 2018.

Coral Rose, MD of the Country Range Group, commented:

“2018 was another strong year as our members once again outperformed the market delivering impressive YOY sales growth of just under 10%.  With record amounts spent on infrastructure, personnel and resources in 2017, our members and their customers are definitely seeing the returns and benefits, which bodes well for the future.”

“While new business and sales growth are obviously vital for our individual members, from a Group perspective our strategic goal is to optimise the level of purchasing throughout the Group. Our purchasing increased by a massive 12%, which is a huge achievement.  Increased purchasing from suppliers provides greater scope for national promotional and marketing activity and ensures our members have an unassailable range of branded and own-brand products when it comes to price, quality and trends.”

“It’s this competitive pricing, exciting promotions, access to the Country Range brand and extensive marketing support, along with the personal, reliable and professional customer service that sets our members apart in the foodservice market and highlights the positives of being independent.”

Group Investment

Within the Group, inward investment has once again been central with increased spend on digital marketing, additional freezer space, vehicles and new test and demo kitchens all providing huge benefits to the individual businesses, the supply chain and the Group as a whole.

Country Range Brand

A core reason for the strong Group figures is the impressive performance of the Country Range brand which now accounts for over 750 product lines and is continuously expanding. Fourteen new product launches in 2018 helped the brand’s sales grow by 8% in 2018, taking the total sales value of the brand to the £100 million mark, with a busy NPD schedule already planned for this year ahead.

Country Range Group Annual Exhibition

The annual trade exhibition also saw record attendance figures as over 400 member delegates and suppliers flocked to Liverpool to attend the widely-acclaimed event and its Beatles-themed afterparty at the Cavern Club.  Taking place at the ACC Liverpool on the 20th June, the hugely successful CRG trade event provided suppliers with the perfect opportunity to reach, demonstrate and sell to the Country Range Group’s 12 independent members.  Over £2.75 million in sales was generated for suppliers on the day.

Foodservice Trend Guide 2019/20

The Country Range Group has also recently launched its first Foodservice Trend Guide.  This detailed customer resource explores consumer behaviour and provides detailed info on the latest food trends, ingredients, cuisines, techniques and concepts.  A valuable resource and business booster, the guide is already being used by chefs and caterers across all sectors so they can take advantage of opportunities and thrive.