Premium bakery supplier Rich’s is focusing on supplying retailers with individually wrapped products, in line with meeting the changing demands of consumers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Starting with cookies, all products will be available in individual wrapping to help retailers cater for the increase in at-home indulgent snacking and maintain store safety.

Spar London Road Bakery in Boston makes team spirit a top priority

It will also expand its range of thaw-and-serve cookies in retail-ready bags, ideal for convenience stores without an in-store bakery, or those looking to simplify their operations.

The supplier says that the demand for vegan products is also continuing to expand in the UK. Meat-free and plant-based diets were worth £3.4bn in 2019, while dairy/egg intake during the lockdown period has reduced by 15%, with nearly half citing health, environmental or animal rights reasons as the driver. 

Rich’s marketing director John Want said: “The past few weeks have changed our shopping habits dramatically, with the return of the big shop and consumers rediscovering local stores, as well a surge in snacking and a heightened focus on food safety.

Mital Morar keeps customers happy with Robinson’s Bakery

“We know there is even more demand for a high-quality sweet baked treat and we want to work with retailers to make it as easy as possible to bring these to shoppers.

“Our new state-of-the-art facilities gives us the flexibility to respond to these changes. We know this is a fast-evolving situation, and we’re working closely with our insight teams to offer future innovations that meet the shopper needs in grocery, convenience and out of home, as we move towards a ‘new normal’.”