Food service operator turns to internet sales to keep profits afloat

A Linlithgow food service operator is the latest to switch to selling direct to consumers after its regular outlets dried up.

Campbells Prime Meats is still making deliveries to the NHS, hub schools and social care settings but their core business was delivering to high-end restaurants, and that has come to an abrupt end.

Since turning to focus on internet sales, the company has seen a growth of more than 400% in orders which they deliver using a fleet of 60 vans.

They are also using couriers to deliver across the UK.

Campbells operations director Iain Brown said the company had a responsibility to provide a service to as many people as possible

“We are deeply saddened for our regular clients as so many of their businesses have been forced to close due to the impact of coronavirus and hope they will be able to fully recover from these testing times soon,” he said.

“That said, we must also adapt ourselves as a business so we can continue to provide as many people as possible with the reassurance that we can support them.”

Campbells has skilled butchers on site and uses beef, lamb and pork which is produced on Scottish farms and is assured by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

The company says staff are adhering to the extra hygiene measures set out by government to help minimise the spread of Covid19, and contactless deliveries are being carried out.

QMS marketing director Lesley Cameron said: “It’s fantastic to see Campbells quickly adjusting to challenges presented by Covid-19 and committing to assisting the public during such a worrying time.

“Their delivery service means customers can easily receive highquality Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork from a trusted, large-scale food service operator – providing people with the peace of mind that is so important during these times.”

Orders have now been limited to 700 per day to help cope with supply and demand.