Facilities: Delicatessen

Every LocalHub should have a deli-counter. There are some foods - especially locally produced ones - that are not available as standardised, pre-packaged items from a supermarket. These should be readily available to all.

This section discusses:

• the Existing provision of this service: What, How, How Often, Costs, Providers and Trends
• the Proposed provision with localnet: What, How, How Often, Costs, Providers and Evolution
• how the existing and proposed services compare

Existing Provision

What

Fresh meats, cheeses, fruits and more are provided by delicatessen counters - either in standalone retail units or within supermarkets.

How

The produce is often sold “loose” and individually measured, cut and wrapped to suit the customer's needs. Part of the delight of shopping at a good deli-counter is in finding new and interesting items that you weren't even aware of and certainly not looking for.

Volume and Frequency

Most of us would like to eat more varied and interesting food but price and convenience of pre-packaged goods tends to limit the amount we buy from delis.

Financial Model

It seems to be hard for standalone delis to survive in small communities and in larger towns there is heavy competition from those within the supermarkets.

Providers

Most large supermarkets now house well stocked deli-counters but their national purchasing systems and high minimum order quantities often prevent them from stocking produce from smaller, local providers.

Trends

Farmers markets and an increasing focus on local produce and provenance of food is making even the large supermarkets stock items with fewer “food miles” than before. However, it is a struggle to make a living when competing with a supermarket nearby.

With Localnet

What

The existing range of fine foods could easily be supplemented by more produce from within the localnet's own catchment area.

How

Whether there is a dedicated deli manager at a LocalHub or whether this becomes a key role for the “village shopkeeper” there is debatable. Either way, there is a need for someone with a love of fine food to run this operation. The real opportunity here is not just to source more local food but to get to know and be proactive with the customers that live in the area.

Volume and Frequency

The localnet's web interface makes it very easy for the deli manager to interact with many of his customers on a day-to-day basis. As their trusted purveyor of fine foods, he can recommend items to them; he can sound out potential buyers and even secure advance orders before he risks his money buying an extra stilton or a whole leg of parma ham; he can help them with party menus and so on.

Financial Model

As with most of the other retail outlets within the LocalHub, this one benefits from shared and hence lower overheads both for premises and for distribution and transport of produce.

Providers

This role is crying out for independent, entrepreneurial lovers of fine food who can concentrate on the selection and marketing of outstanding produce - without having to worry about repairing the roof, hiring a new delivery van and the myriad other distractions that arise in running a small business.

Evolution

When a LocalHub is introduced, it is likely that the deli-counter may be run alongside the coffee shop or “village store” but as residents gradually change their way of shopping and travelling so as to spend more time in and around the LocalHub, it should be a viable independent business in its own right.

 

Comparison

The table below assesses the impact of localnet on this service on a scale of -5 to +5 (details here)

	Existing services	As part of localnet	Score
Scope
Frequency
Security
Convenience
Cost
Quality
Carbon Footprint
Time
Resources Used
Reuse & Recycling
Landfill Waste
Other Differentiators