Makro Launches 'Tested by Professionals' Range
 
Cash and carry wholesaler MAKRO is investing in a new range of own brand products, working alongside its customers to source, develop and test each item.

The company has appointed a dedicated team to manage the own brand launch and has invested in the development of a new range of more than 1,000 products to be introduced across MAKRO’s 33-store network in the UK this year.

Under a unique MAKRO initiative with the strapline 'Tested By Professionals', key professional customers covering all areas of the hotel, restaurant and catering industry have been selected to help test the entire range during the development process. Customers will provide feedback and advice on every aspect of the products, from packaging, label design and ease of use, to quality, performance and price in relation to their specific industry needs.

Customers’ comments on the products will be used to make improvements to ensure they meet trade needs and expectations and products will continue to be tested at regular intervals to ensure quality is maintained.

Kelly Hathway, MAKRO’s own brand manager, said: “MAKRO is allowing its customers to make the vital decisions about what are essentially their products, which means we are able to deliver quality, usable products at a competitive price. Our customers’ recommendations are helping us improve the range before it hits the shelves, so they can be assured from its launch it is reliable, convenient and usable in every day business situations.

“We’re committed to providing the best possible service for our customers, and the 'Tested By Professionals' initiative is just one part of our investment in our new own brand range.”

The MAKRO own brand range includes everything from kitchen essentials and cleaning products, to prepared foods and oils. Some of the first ranges to hit the shelves will be pre-prepared pasta salads, cling film, kitchen foil and laundry detergents

With dedicated in-store brand names, such as RIOBA and ARO, already in store, the new own brand range will extend this offering and incorporate expertise from MAKRO’s sister METRO stores around the world. For example, RIOBA, which includes products such as coffee, tea and sugar, was developed together with METRO’s Italian buyers in Milan.

MAKRO will promote the range in-store, as well as investing in tasting sessions of various food items.

With more than 25,000 products in every store and over 2,000 fresh lines, MAKRO is one of the UK’s largest cash and carry operators. Employing 6,500 people in stores which stretch from the north of Scotland to the south of England, MAKRO is part of the METRO Group, the third largest trading group in the world, operating in 30 countries worldwide.