New North West grocery business to champion home-grown produce

A businessman from Manchester has today (November 20) launched a new online grocery retail platform to target customers in the North West.

Bearfaced Groceries, which aims to challenge the Big Six supermarkets by championing home-grown food producers, plans to eventually roll out across the UK.

Managing director Philip Edge teamed up with former school friends Barry Hymanson and Adrian Sullivan to launch Trafford Park-based Bearfaced Groceries.

Philip said: “Many UK producers have been longing to give customers a compelling alternative to the ‘Big Six’ supermarkets for some time.

“We’ve chosen the North West to pilot the delivery service as it has a diverse cross section of consumers and we know the logistics requirements inside out.”

He continued: “Bearfaced is using modern logistics and an old-fashioned belief in quality produce to offer better deals for suppliers and consumers alike.

“We are tackling the horrendous food waste issues that have been hitting the headlines for far too long head-on with our unique offering which cuts wastage and offers much fresher produce than the outdated supermarket model.”

The partners behind the new venture are hoping it will achieve a £5m turnover within its first 18 months.

Bearfaced Groceries works on a ‘buy-to-order’ basis, which means stock is sent to a customer on the same day it arrives from the producer, cutting out the storage phase.

One of the suppliers signed up to Bearfaced Groceries’ plan is Sharrocks, a greengrocers based in Preston.

Sharrocks’ business development manager, Wilf Whittle, commented: “Bearfaced Groceries is an innovative concept and the company is genuinely fair to suppliers and produce growers alike. It offers us the unique chance to focus on developing our product range further and offering something very special to Bearfaced customers.”

Joseph Heler Cheese, a family business in Crewe, is another supplier to partner up with Bearfaced Groceries.

George Heler, who currently runs the business, said: “Bearfaced makes perfect sense – the business puts us directly in touch with people that really care about food.

“It’s very much in line with our mission of getting our products from farm to fork as efficiently as possible.”

Bearfaced Groceries will also aim to educate people on the economic benefits of supporting local or UK-based producers.

Barry, the firm’s head of operations, said of the decision to found the company: “As consumers ourselves, we spotted a gap in the market for restaurant-quality groceries that don’t end up costing the earth.

“Food really can be of the highest quality, but also competitively priced – that way, everyone from the supplier to the end consumer can benefit from great home-grown UK produce.”

He added: “Rather than the hassle of multiple trips to convenience stores, our customers can get the fresh produce they want all in one place, quickly and easily online.”

Bearfaced Groceries will work alongside other producers in the North West, including Greater Manchester firm Creamline Dairies, Crewe-based Morning Foods and Hammonds of Knutsford, as well as various smaller grocers and farmers.