Fresh Business Partnership Aims to Rival Major Supermarkets

Added: (Wed Sep 22 2010)

Pressbox (Press Release) - In a bid to compete with big name retailers, two local businesses, Seasonharvest and Paul’s Butchers, have announced today, 14 September, a partnership to offer a fresher and more convenient service to people in the region. The two businesses will provide something that they say no big name brands can; ‘products that are 3-5 days fresher than those that are offered by most supermarkets.’ With the freshest of produce, which will be retailed online, they believe that those interested in convenience and wishing to provide their families with the healthiest of food will benefit from the partnership.

Seasonharvest, formerly McLaughlin’s Fruit & Veg, was founded by Kevin McLaughlin in September 1981. The business has grown from one vehicle selling fresh fruit and vegetable produce door-to-door, to a company employing 34 and with a turnover in excess of £3 million. They supply direct to homeowners, local shops, hotels and restaurants. Founded by Paul Ellis in 1992, Paul’s Butchers opened its first shop on the Culmore Road. Over the years they have went on to win numerous awards for their fresh produce, and with Paul’s commitment to quality, he has seen the business grow to three shops across which he employs over 30 people.

While Seasonharvest has been retailing online since 2009, the new partnership is a first for Paul’s Butchers, who will now offer their products on Seasonharvest’s online store.

Online Shopping Division Manager, Shane McDermott of Seasonharvest, comments on how he hopes the partnership will make both businesses more competitive:
“We felt that there was a great synergy with the two brands, as our clients are similar in that they appreciate high quality and fresh produce. Market share is high for Seasonharvest in Limavady, Donegal and Strabane, with Paul’s Butchers having a solid customer base in Derry. Working together we hope to not only introduce new audiences to our service, but to be more competitive moving forward.”

Aaron Ellis from Paul’s Butchers explains how the end consumer will benefit from the partnership:
“By joining up with Seasonharvest, I feel we can offer added value and a higher level of convenience. Increasingly people are finding it difficult to find the time to go shopping, and it is this change that has seen many people turn to Internet to do their weekly shop. People can order top quality fruit and veg, and their meat produce from the one-stop online shop from the comfort of their home and the goods will be delivered at a time that suits.”

For more information on Seasonharvest and Paul’s Butchers visit www.seasonharvest.com or call 028 7133 8478.