Why Co-operation Between Small Businesses Is Half the Solution!

The business landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, and we strongly believe that community is the answer. This isn't just about support from our customers, but also about business-to-business partnerships.

Our food system, broadly speaking, is struggling with the influx of unhealthful options and the dominance of supermarkets. If we're honest, many of us chose or have chosen supermarkets in the past for the simple convenience rather than the quality they provide!

When we first thought about setting up Shropshire Organics, we were single-minded. The goal being to secure our spot in the local market with top quality organic fruit, veg and dairy. Just weeks before launching, as we spoke with other business owners, especially those without a physical location or with limited delivery areas, we heard their genuine struggles and the common themes among them all. We knew we just had to do something to turn the tide.

When we reached out to our first local supplier, The Shropshire Microfarm, they hadn't sold to retail customers in a while due to high travel costs and low margins. This is just one of many things that can, and definitely do, hold small producers back. We discussed a fair margin, their desired RRP, and manageable quantities. They’ve been partnering with us from week one, knowing exactly what we will have, every week, without fail, and we now have the joy of offering their fabulous greens to very grateful customers far outside the Microfarm's own delivery area!

We've worked hard and produced the same outcome with other businesses over and over again. We are still speaking to new suppliers/local producers, regularly growing our online shop. We’re not saying this is a get-rich-quick scheme for businesses like us – it's certainly not. But it is providing some stability for others in unstable times. As a by-product of partnership we've also successfully combined the convenience of a supermarket – organic fruit/veg/dairy, grass fed meat, proper bread, cupboard & household goods all under one roof, ordered online and delivered to your door - with the ethics that small businesses and customers have been yearning for. We’re working together to help many families thrive! 

We want to take a moment to encourage everyone:

• If you are a customer, THANK YOU for your support. You truly make all the difference; every sale is so important for the long term survival of small businesses.
• Our call to other small businesses is: How can you support each other in your area?
  • Perhaps you’re already offering home delivery and could benefit by partnering with another business to offer delivery over a larger geographic area?
  • Are you buying items from further afield than necessary for the quality you're seeking?
  • If you have a physical shop could you function as a collection hub for another business? Our hub locations have worked brilliantly for both sides. We offer advertising and increase footfall when customers collect while the stores help us to save time by dropping several orders in one stop.
  • Are you providing stability to all small suppliers, paying fairly, paying invoices on time, committing to quantities etc?

We all have resources we can share. By embracing a spirit of collaboration, we're not just building stronger businesses; we're cultivating a more resilient, ethical, and truly good food system. Let's champion partnerships, not just as a nice idea, but as the powerful solution it truly is.

Emma Harber - Shropshire Organics.