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Robinson's has won awards for its excellent and comprehensive web site which has been developed over the past two years. "Customers can benefit from on-line flower ordering and we also deal with recipe enquiries," says John. "But one of the most important aspects of having the site is to introduce ourselves to other trading partners." |
| The business environment on the island is "very competitive" and there are six other fruit and vegetable operations supplying the market. "Everyone is is after the same customers," John explains. Around 60% of the firm's turnover is retail and 40% the catering trade. >>>> |
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The firm has also diversified into dry goods, frozen foods and prepared chilled foods such as salads and coleslaw's for both the hotel and retail markets. "The reason we have grown in such a competitive market is that we listen to our customers," says John. "Chefs tell us what they want, for example."
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The tourist industry on the island is in decline and the strong financial services sector has pushed up salaries and property prices leading to many hotels being converted into flats. Fewer tourists means reduced sales for the island's businesses. But this is compensated for by increased business generated by the corporate sector. "The growth area for us is wholesale and catering," says John. "A further benefit is that corporate catering is a 12 month round business and not seasonal."
"Our biggest asset is our staff who are very loyal. Their skills have grown as the the business has grown," says John.
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Being an island, there is a limited pool of staff and the island enjoys zero unemployment. The financial services sector accounts for about 60% of the island's economy and wage rates are about 20% higher than in the U.K., John estimates. |
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ROBINSON'S PROVIDES ITS CUSTOMERS WITH THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE level of service. "Our level of service is our strength," says John. Deliveries are made to local hotels up to four times a day. Is this really necessary? "Well, they make mistakes," he explains,"and we will sometimes be asked to supply produce at short notice. It is a small community and we know our customers very well."
Around 20% of Robinson's fresh produce is sourced from Manx suppliers, the rest has to be shipped in and "the cost of carriage and bringing goods into the island can be high," says John. "We use Manx suppliers whenever we can but Dutch produce from Holland, mainly from Valstar BV,every day,by boat overnight to Skelmersdale and then to the Isle of Man by ferry. More exotic produce is supplied by Wealmoor of Hayes in Middlesex. People who come to the island are amazed by the range of produce."
The florist side of the business is managed by John's brother Michael and flowers are imported from all over the world. This aspect of Robinson's is mostly retail, operating from two main outlets in Douglas and Onchan.
Living on a small island can seem remote-and the choices for consumers can be limited. But through merchants such as Robinson's, the Isle of Man enjoys an abundance of fresh produce from all over the world.
The information within this article was first published by "FOOD CHAIN" The Business of Food & Drink Magazine July/August 2002 edition and remains their intellectual property.