Fine Food Digest Volum 16 Issue 9 | Page 10

A promotional feature on behalf of Hider Foods PACKAGING | DISPLAY | BAGS FOR LIFE Is image everything? A s our 50th anniversary year draws to a close, I am finding time to analyse what has won us our place as market leader in our sector and crucially how we can remain there! A business’s brand profile is vital to the success of every modern company but, with the myriad marketing a venues available to us these days, how important are they to us respectively and how are we to rank their efficacy and importance? How does the reach and influence of internet-based marketing, for example, compare with the personal touch that has served Hider so well in our half century of trading? Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube all have their merits for sure but it’s very easy for a slick online presence to paper over cracks elsewhere. We are rightfully proud that for the last three years, we have won the Best Distributor category in the FFD Best Brands survey. We are prouder still that this is voted for by retailers, so we must be getting certain things right. We have worked hard over the last 50 years to develop relationships with our customers that are based on solid customer service, competitive pricing and an unbeatably diverse product offering. But how do these aspects of a company’s appeal compare with the individual relationships between our teams and our customers and suppliers? The reality is that members of our sales team and buying team have been with us for well over 20 years. They have watched retail and supplier businesses grow and worked with them to develop their product offering over time. I believe that this is at the core of our success – that sense of having a distributor as a partner. I am also convinced that this has grown our ‘Fine Food Family’ and we are resolved that this will continue for the next 50 years. Right… I’m off to update my Facebook status. C H R IS T M A S D EL IV ER IE S HAMPER & GIFT PACKAGING Last order date for samples is 4th Dec, for branding 9th Dec & for delivery before Christmas 18th De c* DUNCAN HIDER, Managing Director www.hiderfoods.co.uk BAGS FOR LIFE 7-10 working days for delivery FOR THE FULL RANGE OF PACKAGING, DISPLAY & BAGS FOR LIFE Freephone 08000 85 85 95 | [email protected] | @wbc | wbc.co.uk 10 October 2015 · Vol.16 Issue 9