Food Circle Supermarket, the Rotherham-based online retailer of surplus food, turns one this month. The company which recently expanded into a workshop Matrix@Dinnington sells surplus food products from well-known brands. Sales have risen dramatically over the past year, with well over 1000 orders now successfully delivered to happy customers across the UK.
The business, which launched in 2018 with support from the Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO) and other local support organisations, prides itself on being the only UK online retailer of surplus but “in-date” healthy food and drink products.
Co-founders Paul Simpson and James Barthorpe attribute their success to a number of factors, but not least the fact that customers can buy products at half the recommended retail price, whilst diverting food from landfill – cutting down on the UK’s huge food waste problem.
James Barthorpe, Co-Founder said “The past year has been a busy one for us, we’ve moved into new premises twice due to expansion, got a new delivery partner, expanded our product range and have built up a very loyal customer base.” The loyalty that James speaks of is in no way down to luck, but stems from the company’s personal approach to their customers, quick turnaround times and branded products.
Access through social media, combined with the ease of ordering through their e-commerce website, offers customers a simple way to purchase a range of quality, healthy products.
Paul Simpson said “We’ve invested heavily in social media on Facebook and other platforms and this has really paid dividends, especially in the fitness and sports nutrition markets where we’ve seen a boom in sales from gym goers and other sports people.”
Earlier this year, the company moved to RiDO’s Matrix@Dinnington Business Centre, allowing for continued growth of the business, which aims to more than double orders over the course of 2019.
Andrew Klinkenberg, Key Account Manager at RiDO said “James and Paul have achieved a huge amount in their first year, and should be proud of their achievements. This is in no small part down to their skills and experience, but also their willingness to engage support throughout the Sheffield City Region to constantly evolve the business. Their business model offers a win-win for all – great value products and a lower environmental impact. I can see the business going from strength to strength over the coming year with continued support from RiDO and the wider City Region.”
