Asda is to significantly enhance its range of local products in store, with the addition of 140 new lines from new and existing Scottish suppliers – an increase of more than 20% on the retailer’s range year on year.
The announcement came at a parliamentary reception (8th March) which was held to showcase Asda’s local suppliers to MSPs and food and drink sector stakeholders.
As well as 140 new local products, which includes cakes, crisps, yoghurts, pies, sausages, biscuits, beer, gin and whisky, Asda will also welcome three new suppliers to its portfolio. FreshMex, a successful restaurant business, with its first retail offering; Rora Dairies, which produces premium local yoghurts, and Hebridean Food Group, which creates a range of ready meals.
Speaking at the event Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, said,
“The food and drink industry is vital to Scotland - it creates jobs and wealth, impacts on health and sustainability, and helps attract people to the country by promoting our food and drink around the globe. It continues to be a great success story and one that we want to support and grow.
“I welcome Asda’s continuing commitment to local sourcing and supporting Scottish producers and manufacturers which in turn helps increase demand and provides a further boost to our food and drink industry.”
Brian Boyle, Senior Director Retail, Scotland, also a speaker at the parliamentary reception, explained, “Local sourcing in Scotland has been a priority for Asda since we opened our first store here more than 50 years ago - and our customers tell us they want to see great quality local products in their stores, at competitive prices.
“We care about local sourcing because it’s a cornerstone of our business - supporting the communities we serve. We were delighted to have so many suppliers join us to sample and showcase some of the 140 exciting and innovative new products we are going to see this year on shelves in Asda stores across the length and breadth of Scotland.”
Asda’s well-established suppliers, like Nairn’s, Graham’s Dairies and Mackie’s continue to innovate in the creation of new products. Others are growing their business across the border too, like the Loch Lomond Group, which has just expanded its range of spirits with Asda, both in Scottish stores and across the whole of the UK.
Ashley Connolly, Local Buying Manager for Scotland, added, “Our Scottish suppliers offer exceptional range, quality and innovation and we’re very proud to showcase our new suppliers and products. This includes FreshMex, one of our brand-new suppliers, who have branched out from an award-winning restaurant business into retail for the first time.
“We help our suppliers grow their businesses in a way that works for them, whether that’s with new local products in only a few of our shops, going national with UK-wide listings or joining the many Scottish suppliers making own-label products for Asda. And we’re always on the lookout for new Scottish lines!”