Belgian retailers are struggling. There are plenty of bankruptcy stories, and utilities seem to be increasingly expensive. "We're at a crucial moment now," is how Annemie Van Eepoel of Lizzy's Nieuwe Oogst describes the situation. "We cannot innovate anymore. It's about survival with no more room for creativity. I'm, sadly, not really enjoying my job anymore, not with all these headaches."
Lizzy's Nieuwe Oogst has been around for 35 years, originally as a greengrocer. These days it offers a range of processed vegetables, raw food sales, cold dishes, soups, desserts, fruit salads, meals, trendy yogurts, poké bowls, tapas products, artisanal chocolate, and delicacies. Annemie is constantly looking for new products, most of which she freshly prepares.
"It's my life," she says. "Only now, I'm mainly concerned with the numbers and not with what I love. Energy and personnel costs are skyrocketing. We're talking about an extra cost of almost €10,000 per month. You have to get that somewhere, but shoppers are increasingly pinching their pennies."
It began last year, Annemie explains. "The pandemic was ending, and we were actually doing really well. It was busy, and people were becoming more aware of her health. After that, however, things went south quickly. When the war [in Ukraine] broke out, Belgians were concerned about its impact right away. That greatly affected purchasing behavior. We did good business during the festive season, though. People realized we were still the place to buy quality, which is perhaps a little pricier," she says.
"Other than that, it's been much quieter. People want to spend but simply can't. We cater to the higher end because quality costs a bit more. However, that's one of the first things people drop. Shoppers then take, for example, 'ordinary' vegetables instead of prepared meals. That obviously affects our turnover. Add your costs to that, and many independent businesses in Belgium are in deep trouble."
It must be said
"I'm simply not loving what I do anymore," Van Eepoel continues emotionally. "It's very painful to say, but that's how it is. Many of us are in the same boat, which shames many of us."
"But, we should be able to express that. It's no fun anymore, and creativity is sorely lacking. I have such anxiety about how we're going to get everything done," she adds.
"And there's not exactly light at the end of the tunnel. In Belgium, wages went up ten percent in January, making it almost impossible to afford staff. You hear 'it's so people can live better'. Only more than half of that increase goes to the state. I feel like we're paying back what the pandemic cost the country."
Annemie has, thus, for the first time ever, had to let some of her people go. "Of course, everyone has a buffer, but it's not for that. We can't cut back, everything has to keep running. The only expense you could cut back on is labor. It's an awful thing to have to do, but there's almost no other way. And it feels like it's all for nothing. You just keep looking at the numbers and having sleepless nights."
Surviving not thriving
Has she ever considered throwing in the towel? "I've naturally had moments when I've considered quitting. It's a 24/7 struggle, but it's my life, and I want to fight for it," Annemie answers adamantly. "The past 35 years haven't always been easy, but I'm, by nature, positive and a go-getter. Lizzy's Nieuwe Oogst is my home. It would greatly affect me if I had to leave."
"So I'll keep fighting until the bitter end. It's just that, for a few years now, I've only been surviving, not thriving. And this year will be tough again. Still, I firmly believe that after the rain comes sunshine. But you must make some sacrifices, which is why some people give up. I can fully understand that. Sometimes it's just not worth it anymore," she says.
"I believe that, despite everything, I have the right to exist in the future. Those willing to cut back now to keep going will flourish once these hard times are over. Local and sustainable are becoming more and more important. Consumers are becoming more conscious, and as soon as they can afford it, they'll return. That's also why I'm not raising my prices."
"You shouldn't put people off; they should know they can always come here for the same quality at a good price. Nonetheless, we have to keep wondering how long it will last. I'm optimistically hoping for a nice summer where everyone will come back to get their summer fruits and salads. It's my life. I want to fight for it," concludes a resolute Annemie.
For more information:
Lizzy's Nieuwe Oogst
151-153 De Merodedreef
2260, Westerlo, Belgium
Tel.: +32 (0) 145 45 344
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lizzysnieuweoogst.be
