Paddy Bishopp - My Small Shopkeeper Mentality

Posted by Paddy on 03/05/2011

Some one said to me the other day that I 'sometimes have a small shopkeeper mentality' and guess what, I do!!  and what a compliment.

Yes I/we have big plans, yes we work with Waitrose and Tesco and yes, I really am off to America next year to introduce them to the next generation of British Coffee (I think they will love us).

But yes, I used to be a shop keeper having set up my own Cafe/Deli and those who know the roots of Paddy and Scott's will know that this is where my love of great coffee came from and where I met the guy who taught me to roast the coffee in the special Paddy and Scott's way.

The' having been one' though is just a small part to why I have a special place in my heart for our small independent clients, the main reason is because they helped us set off on this wonderful journey we are on, they ordered from us, they supported us and the vast majority has stayed loyal to us as we grow. Our commitment to them is still 100%, which is why when we started working with Waitrose we reduced their buy price by over 20% so that they would not be uncompetitive.

As we grow nationally and world wide our roots will stay here in Suffolk and support those who have always been with us as much as our new friends who are jumping on board. They say size does not matter, it certainly does when growing a national company and to compete in this highly competitive market. It does not matter though when it comes to loyalty and customer service, our smallest client is just as special as our largest.