Belgium: Fresh specialist Groenhuis also provides catering services
"Today, the balance is about fifty-fifty. Our location is great. We're in the middle of several different villages and customers can reach us just fine," says the owner. "They come back for our homemade products. Loyal customers get discounts through a loyalty card. With our meals and soups we respond to the seasons. During the summer we sell more salads. In total, we serve our customers with a team of 12 people, including the cook."
Wuyts has more than 25 years of experience and is currently focusing on maintaining the volumes. "Our building is saturated. We’re considering expanding, but this still depends on government plans for local infrastructure. Perhaps we’ll move in the near future.”
"Offering added value and knowing what the customer wants, those are important aspects. Some come here for the tomato soup with meatballs. If you can’t supply this item twice in a row, you lose that customer. Certain products must simply be present. The best advertisement for us is word-of-mouth advertising, competing on price isn’t working. We buy the very best for our customers and always want fresh and tasty quality products."
According to the entrepreneur, it is an essential requirement that retailers support each other. "If we as retailers, agree to purchase our products with each other instead of in the supermarket, then we can save some of the authenticity of our trade. So I urge all small traders to do this."
For more information:
Johan Wuyts
Groenhuis bvba
Liersesteenweg 128d
2220 Heist-Op-Den-Berg
Tel: +32 - (0)15 22 05 05
Fax: +32 - (0)15 22 39 85
www.verswinkel.be
[email protected]
