Wheldrake jam and chutney manufacturer Mercers of Yorkshire has clinched its fifth major supermarket deal ““ all in the space of 18 months.
Customers at Sainsbury’s supermarkets across Yorkshire will now be able to get a taste of the county’s finest conserves and marmalades thanks to a new contract between Mercers and the supermarket giant.
Mercers will be supplying Sainsbury’s with six new products from September 3, including Strawberry Jam ““ which has just scooped a 1 Gold Star Great Taste Award ““ Cherry Jam, Red Onion Marmalade, Salted Caramel Sauce, Lemon Cheese and a new Yorkshire Chutney. In the region of 30 stores will be stocking all six of the products and around 70 stores will be stocking just the Lemon Cheese, including convenience stores.
The news follows a recent deal with Booths, which now stocks Mercers’ Lemon Cheese, Pear Marmalade and Strawberry Conserve, as well as a range of the Women’s Institute products including Strawberry Jam, Raspberry Jam, Blackcurrant Jam and Fine Cut English Breakfast Marmalade. Earlier this year, Mercers products also began being stocked at Tesco and last year were stocked by Asda and Morrison’s supermarkets.
“We’re over the moon to now have our products stocked in Sainsbury’s and it’s been a brilliant year for us so far with five major supermarkets taking our products,” said Lizzie Mercer, who runs the company with husband Paul. “These chains have appreciated our passion for top quality ingredients, and that we’re one of only two other conserve brands that strictly use real sugar in their products.”
A spokesperson for J Sainsbury said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer a real taste of Yorkshire in our stores. Mercers of Yorkshire are a quality brand that really fits with Sainsbury’s ethos. Customer demand for regional and local products continues to grow and by 2020, we want to double the amount of British food we sell. Mercers conserves and jams, packed full of British fruit and sugar, are British through and through!”
Paul and Lizzie Mercer produce all of their range at their own factory near York, allowing them to have a hands-on role in the quality and locality of produce that’s used. The Mercers of Yorkshire product range is also stocked throughout the region in farm shops and delis and is available online at www.mercersofyorkshire.com