Proof’s in pudding for dumpling seller
Clootie McToot picks up contract with John Lewis
The world’s only clootie dumpling shop based in Perthshire has been served the deal of a lifetime by a major national retailer.
Products from Abernethy’s Clootie McToot Dumplings are now hitting the shelves of John Lewis stores.
In January 2020, owner Michelle Maddox wrote a blog post listing John Lewis - as well as Fortnum and Mason and Harrods - among her three dream retailers for her products.
Michelle, whose business only opened in May 2018, had previously been approached by another supermarket at the end of 2019, but turned the offer down.
But now Michelle said it is a “dream come true” to see her dumplings being enjoyed by families nationwide.
She said: “We put up a post last year and do it every January.
“I wanted my products to be in three stores - Fortnum and Mason, Harrods and John Lewis.
“In the December we had been offered the chance to sell our products in another supermarket - but it was not the direction I wanted to go in.
“Then COVID hit and the focus was just to keep the business going.”
However, Michelle’s luck soon changed as she was contacted by retail and supplier marketer Product Guru in September.
“They called me and said that John Lewis liked my dumpling kits,” she said.
“They asked if I would I like to pitch the ideas to them through a Zoom call.
“John Lewis came back to me and gave me a lovely amount they said they would take every month and sell in their stores. “It was a dream come true. “The first three pallets already went out in December, which was more than 500 kits.
“The current agreement for the two kits is up until July and then some of our other new products will be sold up until Christmas.
“It has been a big learning curve.”
Michelle feels the two dumpling-making kits - one traditional and the other apple, pear and cinnamon - will be ideal for families stuck at home.
“Everyone wants to bake and cook at this moment in time being at home,” Michelle said.
“I knew it was all happening before Christmas but I didn’t want to say anything before it went live on the John Lewis website.
“I didn’t tell anyone other than a select few and the staff.
“We were also lucky to get government funding and will be taking on another member of staff through the Kickstart Scheme.”