We are excited to announce that Fieldfare will be championing the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards for the next three years!

Fieldfare, are a family-owned business based in Kent established over 40 years ago, supply’s a variety of delicious loose frozen food with as little waste and packing as possible to farm shops, garden centres and independent stores across the UK.

With the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards 2025 now open for entries, we sat down with Matt Whelan, Managing Director of Fieldfare and a judge on this years’ Retailer Awards, to discuss the awards and what advice he’d give to businesses entering this year:

Why is it important for businesses to enter these Awards?

The Farm Shop and Deli Awards are all about celebrating outstanding achievements within the independent and specialist sector and offer a fantastic opportunity for all retailers within the sector, no matter how big or how small they are.

What tips would you give to businesses entering the Retailer Awards this year?

Tell a story. Use the submission to take the judges on a journey and help them understand what you have achieved and how you achieved it. Show your business’ personality.

What are you looking for in an award-winning entry?

Businesses that are true champions for our industry. I’m looking for fresh ideas, creativity and most importantly, businesses that can demonstrate that they understand their customers. Knowing your shopper is so important in the speciality and independent trade. Fieldfare has been a successful business for almost 50 years and we have only done so by making sure that we always adapt our offer to what shoppers want. Constantly learning and evolving is essential.

What did you enjoy the most about judging at the Retailer Awards last year?

It is wonderful to meet the inspiring and enthusiastic people behind the businesses. I love finding out more about them, their businesses and their aspirations for the future.

Why do you feel that attending the Retailer Awards winners announcement at the Farm Shop & Deli Show is so important?

The awards event has a real buzz to it. Whether you’ve been shortlisted or not, it’s great to be there and celebrate the achievements within our industry, network and learn from our colleagues. If you are one of the shortlisted, being there is a must. There is a huge sense of pride when lifting that trophy, so it’s really important to be there, to have your moment and celebrate with colleagues. Plus the photo opportunity is great, because then that can be used for your own PR, social and marketing. Spreading the word about a win has seen massive benefits for previous winners

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The awards are a golden opportunity to recognise and reward the remarkable achievements of specialist retailers up and down the UK. If you are such a retailer, we’d like to invite you to put your business in the spotlight and unite in celebrating the pinnacle of excellence within the specialist retail sector.

Enter for FREE via our website by Friday 27th September 2024. Find out more and enter here: www.farmshopanddelishow.co.uk/awards