Hungry for growth, Nosh partners with Waitrose

17 October 2011

Hungry for growth, Nosh partners with Waitrose

As Nosh Food Market steadily expands its presence in New Zealand, it has announced a partnership with Waitrose which not only gives Kiwis a wider choice of innovative food products, but also leverages their economies of scale, logistics know-how and process management to support its growth ambitions. These are critical factors to the successful operation of a nationwide retail chain, where customer satisfaction is built on quality and prices at the till

By joining forces with the United Kingdom’s renowned Waitrose Limited, Nosh enjoys access to an expanded catalogue of quality suppliers. More than that, the partnership signals its intention to continue growing across New Zealand, confirms director Clinton Beuvink.

“Our goal is to provide the best food at the best prices with the best customer service to all Kiwis,” he says. “With this arrangement initially up to 100 Waitrose-branded products will be on our shelves in time for Christmas, considerably adding to our inventory of globally- and locally-sourced goods.”

With six stores in the Nosh chain of Food Markets, Beuvink says the strategic advantage to the partnership is becoming clear. “With 264 stores in the UK and two in Dubai, Waitrose knows how to manage an extended retail operation where efficiency is fundamental to cost containment. This experience will provide Nosh with insights into best practices and logistics which we will apply as we continue to expand our own footprint and increase our share of the grocery market to our target of 5%.”

Importantly, Beuvink points out that while the partnership is considered a significant step forward for Nosh, there are currently no plans to sell its business to foreign investors. “We’re proudly Kiwi owned and operated. Our ethos has always put the customer at the centre of the business – and that means putting the widest variety of quality goods on the shelves, whether locally produced or sourced internationally. With the Waitrose line, we’ve taken that a step further, giving consumers more choice and positioning the business for substantial growth in New Zealand.”

He adds that because Waitrose places great importance on the provenance and traceability of its products, it has much in common with the Nosh approach to sourcing. “The buyers are experts in their fields and spend a lot of time with growers, farmers and suppliers, building relationships based on trust and respect. That means our customers can buy with confidence,” Beuvink explains.

He stresses the Waitrose range does not replace any New Zealand food products, but is complementary to the current Nosh offering. “Local consumers want variety and choice. That’s why they shop at Nosh; when the exciting Waitrose range arrives, they will have that in spades.”

“We are delighted to be partnering Nosh Food Market who share our passion for great food,” says Rupert Ellwood, Waitrose Manager, International Growth. “We look forward to developing our range of exciting and innovative products in to the New Zealand market through a longstanding supply arrangement.”

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