Robinson's,
who are now the Islands largest retail and wholesale fresh food trader began,
one hundred and twenty five year's ago from one small shop. Today, it is
still the same family business.
The five members of the family have now appointed four key employees to
the position of Director and employ 160 people.
November 15th 1993 saw the opening of a new 15,000 sq. ft. warehouse / distribution
centre. The new premises, strategically situated, just three miles from
where the ferry docks, are part of a new strategy by Robinson's to save
costs while continuing an important expansion programme. The new depot will
provide the impetus for greater organisation throughout the distribution
chain. We currently use twelve vans to deliver a wide variety of fresh produce
throughout the Island.
The peculiar position of the Isle of Man, 90 miles from Liverpool and 70
miles from Belfast, and the particular make up of the population within
the Island, creates enormous difficulties in supplying the wide range of
produce the Manx public rightly demand.
The main problem encountered by Robinson's and our other wholesale competitors
on the Island, is the cost of freight, at £75 per pallet, it is a
significant cost, and yet we have to compete with major supermarket chains
such as Marks and Spencer Tesco and Safeway.
We cannot pass all of this cost onto our customers, not least of all because
the "mainland" supermarkets are working on lower mainland prices.
This means that we have to put more effort into our promotions to attract
the Islands 76,000 population to our front door.
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Retail.
The essential thrust of the Robinson's business is retail. We have our own shop
in Douglas (the capital) at Prospect Terrace and we also have the franchise
for the fruit and vegetable department in all eight stores of the Island's
number one supermarket chain, Shoprite. The association with Shoprite began
some 27 years ago when this chain opened their first store on the Island.
Robinson's were, incidentally, the first in the U.K. to barcode fruit and
vegetables.
Wholesale.
The wholesale business started up 17 years ago and was a natural progression
to what we were already doing. It has developed well, to the point where
we can import direct from countries such as Holland and France on a regular
basis.
Wholesale customers account for a significant percent of our turnover
and is growing.
Eight years ago saw the introduction of dry goods and dairy to our vast
array of produce, an aspect of the business, which has proved to be very
successful.
At present we are sole agents on the Island for Tayto crisps, Cantrell
& Cochrane minerals Johnson's Coffee and Ormeau Bakery.
The wholesaling arm of Robinson's not only supplies the premier hotels
on the Island but also services 80% of the independent retailers and hotels.
These customers appreciate our delivery services, which reach all parts
of the Island at least once daily.
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