AMS/ASDA Local Delivery Initiative 2004

As the final "locally" delivered strawberries disappear from ASDA's shelves in Kent, Scotland and Cornwall, it gives both ASDA and AMS a chance to reflect on the success ofo 2003. It is difficult to believe that AMS has just finished its fourth year providing 47 ASDA stores directly with berry fruits and such a long way from only supplying directly to the Cornish St Austell store in 1999.

The way we achieved this

Through the support and enthusiasm of both UK growers and ASDA stores we have brought local deliveries to life in over 6 areas of the UK from Cornwall to Scotland. To reap the full benefits of local supply of soft fruit, berries it has been important to reduce road miles. To this aim all the growers involved in the scheme run refrigerated vans and small lorries so that the fruit can be delivered directly to the store involved. This has resulted in reducing the time from farm to customer so ensuring the customer has got the best local products supplied in the best possible condition. The impact on the customers has been massive with a large increase in sales as well as fantastic customer feedback.

Where has the success and growth come from?

A difficult one to answer, and you may well think, well not really. AMS has a very committed and diverse supply base and many of the growers have a symbiosis with their local communities. The local community has an affinity with agricultue and want to buy locally produced products, so the answer is to provide this simple service.

Wheer do we go from here?
We are planning to supply other ASDA stores with local produce next year to expand on the local supply of produce supporting the local farm communities. To do this we are always looking for growers who wish to take part in the highly successful scheme.

Autumn 2003