Asda is set to significantly enhance its range of local products as it adds 140 lines from new and existing Scottish suppliers.
The items, which include cakes, crisps, yoghurts, pies, sausages, biscuits, beer, gin and whisky, will represent an increase of more than 20% of the Big 4 grocer’s range year on year.
As well as the selection of local products, Asda is adding three new suppliers to its portfolio, including resraurant business FreshMex, premium yoghart company Rora Dairies and ready meal business Hebridean Food Group.
The announcement came at a parliamentary reception yesterday (8 March), held to showcase Asda’s local suppliers to MSPs, as well as food and drink sector stakeholders.
Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning
Speaking at the reception, cabinet secretary for rural affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon said: “The food and drink industry is vital to Scotland – it creates jobs and wealth, impacts on health and sustainability, and helps attract people to the country by promoting our food and drink around the globe. It continues to be a great success story and one that we want to support and grow.
“I welcome Asda’s continuing commitment to local sourcing and supporting Scottish producers and manufacturers which in turn helps increase demand and provides a further boost to our food and drink industry.”
Asda senior director retail Scotland, Brian Boyle said that local sourcing in Scotland has been a “priority” for the supermarket since it opened its first store in the country over 50 years ago.
“Our customers tell us they want to see great quality local products in their stores, at competitive prices.”
Asda local buying manager for Scotland, Ashley Connolly added: “We help our suppliers grow their businesses in a way that works for them, whether that’s with new local products in only a few of our shops, going national with UK-wide listings or joining the many Scottish suppliers making own-label products for Asda, and we’re always on the lookout for new Scottish lines.”
