Anyone opened a Deli?

bullyy2k90 · 13 Jun 2017 at 10:20

As the title suggests really.
A guy at work is opening one with his wife, and I thought I'd ask you guys.
What were your costs. Did you meet your predicted turnover.
What products fly off the shelves?

Thanks

Gary

Psycho Sonny · 14 Jun 2017 at 09:59

location is the most important thing then it's your products and marketing. i find females serving the customers also helps with males taking a back role (main chef).

fly of the shelves? coffee, morning rolls, paninis (melts, chicken mayo, bacon and brie, etc), chips and soup.

you also don't want a huge number of products on offer just go for the main sellers. for 2 reasons. if it's selling quick you will be making it more often so it's fresher therefore tastes better. nobody wants to be eating 3 day old sweetcorn for instance. it will also keep your costs lower as your not buying tons of slow moving stock. if something isn't a good seller get rid of it.

ice cream machine will do great in summer. you can go down the route of a carpa gianni single head machine and then add sauces / toppings or a crolla/carte dor show feezer it looks a lot better and pulls punters in but it takes up more space and has less profit.

if you want to do hot food then you will need a decent amount of seating area.

however like i said location is the most important factor. you could have the best deli on the planet in the wrong location and it will never last. even the worst deli on the planet in the right location will make a mint.

Schizo · 14 Jun 2017 at 10:11

Yes location is the key.

There is a chip shop near one of the seaside resorts,I found out last week from the owner that he takes 100 grand a year from fish and chips and a few other bits,that's an astonishing amount of money and he shuts for 2 days a week as well !!!

Location location location

DB_SamX · 14 Jun 2017 at 12:40

I would love a deli in Winchester; the only one is a small independed sandwich shop which sadly is closing this month. I love Morrisons's deli/salad counter. I'd definitely be getting lunch from a deli over a supermarket sandwich (when not bringing lunch into work).

TonyTurbo78 · 14 Jun 2017 at 14:45

DB_SamX said:
I would love a deli in Winchester; the only one is a small independed sandwich shop which sadly is closing this month. I love Morrisons's deli/salad counter. I'd definitely be getting lunch from a deli over a supermarket sandwich (when not bringing lunch into work).

Winch has enough pasty shops to keep me happy

ci_newman · 15 Jun 2017 at 09:03

DB_SamX said:
I would love a deli in Winchester; the only one is a small independed sandwich shop which sadly is closing this month. I love Morrisons's deli/salad counter. I'd definitely be getting lunch from a deli over a supermarket sandwich (when not bringing lunch into work).

If it's closing, I guess it isn't a viable business.

Psycho Sonny · 15 Jun 2017 at 10:56

Rent and rates are crazy in this country. It's anywhere between £200-£400K rent per year for a shopping centre shop. Add rates on top of that then all your normal bills you can see why chains with a brand name behind them are taking over.

Also competition is fierce when you do get a good location as everyone wants to be in that area.

Glanza · 15 Jun 2017 at 10:59

Location is key but you don't need to be in a 'prime spot' if the foods good people will come to you.

The best butty shop around here isn't on the high street and tucked away but is always busy and a queue outside.

DB_SamX · 17 Jun 2017 at 21:23

ci_newman said:
If it's closing, I guess it isn't a viable business.

It is in one of the main streets in town. Thing is I don't think it relies on passing foot traffic, but local workers. So I am surprised they are not just relocating somewhere cheaper. But they are still doing catering.

That place featured in one of Buzzfeed's top sandwich shops or something a few years ago.

bullyy2k90 · 21 Jun 2017 at 11:14

Thanks for the comments so far.
As well as tasty sandwiches, bagels etc etc. Rather than just doing the norm, I was thinking about selling meats, cheeses, wine and selected beers. I was in the South of France last year and their Delis are unreal. Full of top quality produce. So I was thinking and hoping that the British public would like something similar. There must be Deli's like that here in the UK. But definitely not from where I am from (Small town in the North East) Do you think its worth a punt. I know people are getting more food savvy these days.

D.P. · 21 Jun 2017 at 16:38

You'll get a much higher markup going for higher end food, and if you sell good beer and in the profit margins will be large. You can also price out the local chavs. Rather than maximizing throughput, for a family bussines higher profit lower volume Is much more enjoyable.

Psycho Sonny · 22 Jun 2017 at 12:12

bullyy2k90 said:
Thanks for the comments so far.
As well as tasty sandwiches, bagels etc etc. Rather than just doing the norm, I was thinking about selling meats, cheeses, wine and selected beers. I was in the South of France last year and their Delis are unreal. Full of top quality produce. So I was thinking and hoping that the British public would like something similar. There must be Deli's like that here in the UK. But definitely not from where I am from (Small town in the North East) Do you think its worth a punt. I know people are getting more food savvy these days.

Sounds like what peckhams used to do. They all shut down around here.

Why would I come to you when I can buy my meat, cheese, wine, beers, etc from a supermarket where I do the rest of my shopping anyway?

Just because you think it's a good idea doesn't mean enough people in your locale will to make it a viable business.

You need to look at questions like the one above.

bullyy2k90 · 22 Jun 2017 at 14:42

Psycho Sonny said:
Sounds like what peckhams used to do. They all shut down around here.

Why would I come to you when I can buy my meat, cheese, wine, beers, etc from a supermarket where I do the rest of my shopping anyway?

Just because you think it's a good idea doesn't mean enough people in your locale will to make it a viable business.

You need to look at questions like the one above.

That's a very good point. I know supermarkets are getting in some very good produce from around Europe and around the UK and are putting a lot of small businesses out of business. I suppose, that is something to bare in mind. However, I wasn't going to rely on those products soaley. I think theres a market for good artisan food. Made by foodies for foodies.

D.P. said:
You'll get a much higher markup going for higher end food, and if you sell good beer and in the profit margins will be large. You can also price out the local chavs. Rather than maximizing throughput, for a family bussines higher profit lower volume Is much more enjoyable.

Thanks D.P I take it you own your own Deli? Do you have a site/Social Media I can take a look at?

Martynt74 · 23 Jun 2017 at 08:40

I think the type of deli you have in mind is definately a viable business but they tend to only be successful in particular areas. Usually the areas with the better off folk. Didsbury and Altrincham in Manchester spring to mind, along with Ramsbottom where i grew up as it's known as an artisinal market town.

Do you have any areas like that near you?

bullyy2k90 · 23 Jun 2017 at 10:07

Marvt74 said:
I think the type of deli you have in mind is definately a viable business but they tend to only be successful in particular areas. Usually the areas with the better off folk. Didsbury and Altrincham in Manchester spring to mind, along with Ramsbottom where i grew up as it's known as an artisinal market town.

Do you have any areas like that near you?

Yeah, I think you're right. There are a few affluent areas in my town. And quite a few more in and around the local area. I'll just have to keep an eye out for decent rental properties. In the mean time, I'll do a bit more research. cheers