Shoppers flock to snap up food bargains
Customers flock to budget warehouse
ASHOPPER turns and asks the store manager if the whole case of Capri Sun she’s cradling in her arms is really just £4.
She can hardly believe it when he confirms the bargain price.
This is Rogers Wholesale Foods, which has just opened its latest warehouse on the Bredbury Park Industrial Estate in Stockport.
Founded by Mark King five years ago, the concept is simple – sell food past its ‘best before’ date to ensure it doesn’t go to waste.
And it’s one that is turning savvy shoppers’ heads away from the traditional supermarket chains.
Since the huge warehouse opened last week, thousands of masked shoppers have queued in all weather to bag the latest bargains.
Shoppers eyes light up as they’re met with towers of bulk-buy food stacked on huge pallets – all for a fraction of the normal price.
Deals include a case of 12 bottles of Coca Cola for £5, four boxes of Kellogg’s Coco Pops for £2 and a case of Starbuck’s Intenso black for £4.
As many families in Greater Manchester feel the pinch of the pandemic, it seems there’s never been a better time to open a discount store like this.
The warehouse has attracted a wide range of people, from large families hoping to kit out their cupboards on the cheap, to couples stocking up on coffee as they work from home.
Most of the items are past their best before date, but this doesn’t mean they are unsafe to eat, say the Food Standards Agency.
“We’ve been going for five years but the ‘Marcus Rashford effect’ has pushed it to an even bigger scale now,” said store manager, Mark Lyne.
“Everyone is more understanding of the fact that some people are really struggling.
“This year has been difficult for everyone because of the pandemic and this store makes things much cheaper for everybody.”
Shoppers can walk straight in, with no membership card required like at other wholesalers.
“There has been a real mix of people visiting the store from all different backgrounds,” Mark said.
“From those trying to save a bit of money or some people who live on the breadline and get more food for their family.
“We only sell to families and not traders as we are here to help people save money not make money.”
Andrew and Clare Clarke from Wythenshawe visited the store with their daughter Mia and Darcey-Mae, after seeing a post on Facebook. Their shopping trolley is full to the brim with soft drinks, breakfast cereals and lots of snacks for the kids.
“My daughter tagged me on a post on Facebook so we thought we would come and check out what deals they had,” Clare said.
“Everything here is such good value and my kids are just in their element.”
Lyndall Bronkhurst, 31, said she’d been drawn to the concept of the wholesaler and had to decided to visit the store with her mum Liz.
“It’s an interesting concept and I think it’s very good because you’re not throwing food away,” she said, whilst placing a giant box of cereal into her shopping trolley.
Every item on sale at the store would have gone to landfill if it hadn’t made it’s way into savvy shoppers trolleys.
The new store, which is situated on Horsefield Way, on the Bredbury Park Industrial Estate, has employed around 30 local people.
Martin McLean lives in nearby Heaton Chapel, and now works at the warehouse as a store director.
“I saw the role advertised online and did my research on the company and got a really good feeling,” he said.
“I think it is great and I think this is the right time for a store like this to come to Manchester.
“Particularly in these times with people being unemployed or being made redundant – a place where people can buy food for less money is a great for the area.”
Anne Mellor, from Denton, decided to visit the warehouse after being recommended by her son.
“He came last weekend and sent me loads of pictures of the ‘swag’ so I thought I’d come today to try and pick up some bargains.”
Anne’s trolley is stacked high with pallets of crisps and cereal bars to see her through the current national lockdown.
“It’s good things are not being thrown away and people can grab a bargain or two at the same time,” Anne said.
“It breaks my heart thinking all of this would go to waste if it wasn’t for shops like this.
“There are lots of things that I really like but I’m sick of paying £1 for one cereal bar where as here you can get a whole box for a couple of quid.”
Stock is piled halfway to the ceiling as the day starts, and by lunchtime the pallets have halved in size as people scramble to get the best buys.
Store manager Mark puts a post on Facebook every night, keeping customers up to date with the latest bargains on offer.
“There are certain things that once you put out they are just gone straight away,” said Mark.
“Mainly lunch box items or snacks that you keep in the cupboard.
“There’s a lot of excitement about Rogers at the moment. It has become addictive because the people that watch the Facebook video each night want to come in and get the latest bargains. People love coming to this shop to see all the weird and wonderful things that you can’t find in a supermarket.
“It’s a concept with a conscience.”