Wyke Farms Reach 70 Million In Retail Sales As The Brand Pick Up The Pace For 2010
Industry challenger brand Wyke Farms achieve the highest retail sales figure the company has ever seen
Wyke Farms, the UKs largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, have released new data from TNS[1] confirming retail sales from December 08 December 09 reached 70 million, the highest figure the company has ever achieved. Indicative of the companys fast growth strategy and position as strongest challenger brand within the category, this figure represents a benchmark for Wyke Farms who intend to go even further in 2010.
Despite the tough trading environment during 2009 Wyke Farms achieved a significant increase in sales during the year and attribute much of their success to smarter above the line promotional activity and a strong sampling program. Substantial investment into brand awareness took place during 2009 when Wyke Farms increased high impact print and broadcast advertising campaigns. The company also reached over 3 million members of the public on their sampling tours.
Richard Clothier, third generation family member & Managing Director, is planning further activity this year, 2009 presented us all with some unprecedented challenges, its exactly that type of environment where entrepreneurial thinking and a genuine passion for what you do shines through. We are planning extra investment into brand awareness during 2010 with targeted print and broadcast advertising campaigns, using TV and national food titles, to inspire confidence with our suppliers, customers and consumers.
Wyke Farms, known for their unique provenance and the superior quality of their products, have maintained the art of traditional cheese making on their Somerset farm where the Clothier family have been making cheddar to Ivy Clothiers same original secret recipe since 1902. Staying loyal to the families heritage and approach to farming has given Wyke Farms a unique ability to produce a wide variety of traditional, real farmhouse cheddars.
The 100 years of tradition at Wyke Farms are now matched by over 100 trophies, awards and prizes won by the company at national cheese shows. From an original 3000 plus, Wyke Farms is now one of less that 20 farmhouse cheese makers remaining in the West Country and today its mild, mature, extra mature and vintage cheddars are sold throughout Europe in over 25,000 retailers.
Wyke Farms cheese and butter products are available nationwide and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose
[1] World Panel KPI Reporting 52 w/e 27 December 2009
Wyke Farms Ltd is a family run company based in the heart of the Somerset cheddar making region. The art of traditional cheese making will never be lost on the Somerset farm where the Clothier family have been making cheddar to Ivy Clothiers same original secret recipe since 1902.
Today, Wyke Farms is the largest independent cheesemaker and milk processor in the UK producing over 12,000 tonnes of cheddar per year to the same award winning 100-year-old recipe.
Recent brand data confirms Wyke Farms as the fastest growing brand within the Cheddar category, with retail sales at over 1million per week and growing at 94%. The Wyke Farms brand is the 4th largest in the category and the only independent company in the top 10 cheese brands[1].
Wyke remains a truly traditional family business. Ivys grandsons Richard and Tom now run the cheese making operations with their father John, whilst her other two Grandsons David and Roger run the family dairy farming operations. The four grandchildren share Ivys passion for cheese making where flavour, texture and taste are paramount. They believe that this attention to detail is the reason that their cheese has won more awards at national cheese shows than any other.
[1] w/e 02nd November 2008 (TNS World Panel KPI Reporting)