Food Lover's Market celebrates 30 years

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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - From a single fruit and vegetable store in Access Park to a business that includes one-stop-shop Food Lover's Market stores, c-store juggernaut FreshStop at Caltex, FVC International, Diamond’s Discount Liquor, Market Liquors, Food Lover’s Eatery, and the most exciting artisan coffee brand in South Africa - Seattle Coffee Company.

"This 30-year milestone offers us a great opportunity to reflect on our history as a business and recognise the many people who have been part of our success over the past 30 years," said Brian Coppin, CEO of the Food Lover's Market Group.

"Few people remember the first steps of starting a business, but it feels like yesterday to us. We remember the thrill of working alongside family, new friends and partners to open that first store in Access Park in Cape Town. We held onto our dream, often wondering if we would achieve what we set out to do, but we never gave up."

A family affair

Brian and Mike Coppin opened Fruit & Veg City in Access Park in 1993, stripping, painting and merchandising the store themselves, with the help of friends and family.

From opening a single store with a team of six colleagues, the Food Lover's Market Group now boasts 17 000 team members across the entire business.

Some early team members are still working in the business, having grown into other roles as the company expanded. "Our children grew up in the business, and it is truly gratifying seeing the next generation working in the business, creating their own legacies," says Coppin.

A drive to be the best store in the community

"Our philosophy is always to ensure we have the best store in the community - we've thought long and hard about what it takes to do this in the current economic climate and have realised that it's about offering a 'whole' shopping experience. It's not just about theatre - although we are the best at creating that visual appeal in our stores. It also supports the community by offering value, quality, and choice."

While Fruit & Veg City is the origin of the business, today, Food Lover's Market has evolved into a modern retail store with all the experiential elements of a theatre-of-food - which includes gourmet butcheries, delis, grocery and health and wellness departments.

Living the Earth Lover's values

Living the business's core values requires a holistic approach, and in 2017 Food Lover's Market established Earth Lovers - a division dedicated to building a company that incorporates social and environmental sustainability in everything the business does.

To this end, the Food Lover's Market Group is committed to creating a sustainable business model for years to come. This includes building stores that are energy efficient with LED lighting and energy-efficient refrigeration, as well as waste minimisation processes.

The retailer is also committed to reducing waste to landfill, and stores are continually looking at more efficient packaging and recycling opportunities - having been the first South African retailer to ban plastic bags at till points.

VIDEO: Celebrating 30 years of Food Lover's Market

More than an ambitious dream

"More than just an ambitious dream, for my brother and I, it is our love of retail and the desire to offer something different - but an offering that is well-priced and of great quality - still inspires us daily."

Coppin concludes, "From our family to yours, it's been a labour of love for 30 years, and we want to thank everyone in our business, our customers and our suppliers - you've seen us grow, and it's all because of you."

More information about the incredible 30-year journey is available at www.celebrating30years.co.za

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