Belgium: Convenience of consumer plays bigger part all the time

Huis Vanassche is known in West Flanders as grocer and wholesaler. The company is established in Izegem, environment Roeselare. It started in 1953 as a hawkers trade, but later on the business became a wholesaler" Rik Vandenabeele tells. "My wife and I took over the business in 2002 and for two thirds we are wholesalers and for one third shop."

The combination of potatoes, fruit, vegetables and herbs is the most important in the shop. "But we also offer a total fresh parcel of amongst others meals, soups, salads, meat and cheese."

Rik Vandenabeele next to his delivery van

"We have chosen the cherry in our logo because it is something special and not just a 'common' product. It radiates something special."

34 staff members are employed by Vanassche. The products are transported by two lorries and five delivery vans.

"We have grown well during the last five years," the manager continues. "We buy our own products. Therefore we have sharp prices."

Purchases are done at various importers and the Belgian auction houses. The cut vegetables, meals, soups and salads are freshly prepared on location every day.

Preparation of fresh meals

Shop

"We have years of experience and are specialised in food and the customer in the shop is aware of that. It is not self-service. A staff member is always there to assist. Vanassche offer first class quality, because of fresh products daily and quality control."

Bananas on the tree

"We want surplus value and extra service by allowing our customers to taste and to experience the articles."

Cheese and meat are available as well at Vanassche

"When people order via the website they will be able to collect their products from the shop within half an hour and they do not need to wait," Rik mentions. "We have various offers at various times and therefore people like coming back. Examples are savings actions or a free product, when buying the day's menu."

Wholesale

Huis Vanassche wholesaler is a distributor of vegetables, fruit, pre-cut vegetables and on a smaller scale of potato products for the West Flandrian region. "We supply home delivery to OCMW's (Public Centres for Social Welfare), hospitals, rest houses, hotels and restaurants and other neighbourhood shops."

"Our vegetable cutting department has been completely fitted in accordance with HACCP-norms, supplying the customer with the guarantee of day-fresh pre-cut vegetables."

Huis Vanassche has been at the same address since 2005. "We grew each year and since last year we have expanded' Rik tells. "In 2012 we want to continue with what we are doing. In the future it will become more and more difficult for the retail trade. Because of the crisis customers want to save more and to spend less."

A different trend Rik is aware of is the convenience of the customer. "People do not want to be in the kitchen for hours on end in order to cook, but want everything prepared as far as possible. We have the answer to this question."

"We address the convenience aspect of the customer. These fruit dishes we introduced last year and there is a lot of demand for these."

For more information:
Rik Vandenabeele
Huis Vanassche bvba
3, Lodewijk de Raetlaan
8870 Izegem - Belgium
www.huisvanassche.be
[email protected]