Ei Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has unveiled an exciting new initiative that gives industry suppliers of all sizes the opportunity to showcase their products and services to the business.
The new supplier ‘Open Mornings’ were launched in conjunction with company’s annual Retail and Supplier Conference, held last week in Coventry. The event built on the success of last year with a focus on pub retailing excellence and how the company’s suppliers can continue to play an integral role in delivering Ei Group’s vision of shared success.
The Open Mornings will launch on 25 July at Ei Group’s Head Office in Solihull and then be repeated monthly. Prospective new suppliers will be allocated a 20-minute slot in which to pitch their product or service to key members of Ei Group’s Procurement Team.
Miles Selby, Procurement Director at Ei Group, (pictured) said, “We work with some great suppliers of all sizes who help support our publicans in running successful businesses in the heart of their communities. But we’re always on the look out for the next product or service that will add additional value and help give our publicans the edge when it comes to driving footfall.
“This new initiative will allow us to discover fresh and innovative products, while also giving new suppliers the opportunity to build relationships with Ei Group through driving forward our retail excellence agenda. In turn, this will further enhance the support we offer to our publicans and enable them grow their business.”
Any prospective new suppliers should email: james.baxter@eigroupplc.com for further information.
The conference focused on providing strategic insight and business updates to the group’s field-based teams and scores of suppliers, who were keen to share best practice, strengthen relationships and improve ways of working. There was also a focus on the raft of business support tools and initiatives Ei Group is now offering its publicans across its large and diverse estate, with the goal of delivering better retail capability and profitable pubs.
Addressing delegates at the conference, Ei Group Chief Executive Simon Townsend said: “Our new mantra is ‘better, not more’ allied to a relentless focus on consistently delivering quality across everything we do. My challenge to suppliers is to think differently about how they can help us drive sales for our publicans, reduce costs and use their expertise to deliver a better customer experience.”
A number of awards were also presented to suppliers in recognition of their achievements in partnership working over the past year. Winners receiving awards from Commercial Director Paul Harbottle and Miles Selby included: AB InBev, Britvic, Bytes Software Services, Fever-Tree and Global Brands.