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 50,000 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 over 20 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 a minimum of £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 78,000 population to our front
door.
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Retail
The essential thrust of the Robinson's business is
retail. We have two shops of our own - in Douglas
(the capital) and Onchan. 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.
Ten 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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