Hanos Wommelgem views asparagus season as high point
"Hospitality sector has become choosier and more price conscious"
Hanos regularly offers weekly deals
Fresh Manager Patrick Andries and Laddawan Potha, from the fruit & veg department, talked about the developments in the last year and the expansion of the fruit & veg department. Patrick: "We offer a complete assortment for the hospitality trade. The difference with Hanos lies in the speed of logistics and guaranteed freshness. Our central purchasing in Apeldoorn buys in auction today and they are here by early morning." He explains that everything is controlled from The Netherlands. "Even the prices offered are checked daily and sometimes changed more frequently."
Changing purchase behaviour
According to Laddawan over recent years there have been definite changes in purchasing behaviour. "For example, you see the influence cooking programs have on customers and how some products get a new lease of life, such as the parsnip; forgotten several years ago, but now back on top, and other forgotten vegetables are purchased more often than in recent years. Exotics are also consumed more often." She says that the hospitality sector have become choosier and more price conscious. "A couple of years ago people were quick to buy, now more thought is put into it. People chose products themselves and are aware of price and quality. We ensure that the fruit & veg department have produce presented as well as possible and help customers with their questions and wishes. We also offer customers selections according to their recipes."
A portion of the products are sold under the Hanos label, such as these lettuce varieties
Asparagus
The first asparagus of the season arrived last week. "For us, the asparagus season is the most important season of the year, a real high point!" said Patrick. "Lots of asparagus is sold before The Netherlands begins. The season starts here early and huge amounts will be bought. Belgian customers generally have more money for asparagus. It is not difficult to sell 5 kilo boxes for 55 to 60 Euro."
All products are displayed in a colourful manner
Chicory
Products are eaten differently in The Netherlands to Belgium. "In The Netherlands lots of chicory is consumed but in Belgium they eat more chiconnettes, very small chicory. They also buy a lot of braised endive. If you see how much is sold around Christmas it is enormous. Maybe chefs prefer the semi prepared variety," adds Patrick. Laddawan adds: "Our star chefs often have specific requests. Our top chefs, for example, prefer chicory."
Laddawan Potha, fruit & vegetable department
Laddawan: "We 'play' with the seasons and times of the year for our presentations. We also have weekly offers, which are set up in an attractive manner. We want to keep the quality as high as possible and are busy all day." Patrick: "The fruit & vegetable sector is exciting. Every day is a question of good presentation and sustainability. Freshness is top priority and effort is put into this. The staff in the department have good knowledge of the product and have hospitality backgrounds, which is the added value Hanos delivers. We teach customers about the different products through cooking demonstrations in different theme's. Shortly we will have a chef demonstrating the various ways to prepare asparagus for which people are already signing up."
The Hanos location in Wommelgem
For more information:
Hanos Antwerpen
Nijverheidsstraat 54
2160 Wommelgem - Belgium
+32 3 608 41 41
[email protected]
www.hanos.nl
