The UK meat industry is responsible for supplying safe, wholesome, and quality meat products to consumers across the country and beyond. In 2021 alone, beef manufacturing generated approximately £9.96 billion for the UK economy. However, the industry is not without its challenges. Today more than ever, it's essential for butchers to think beyond their traditional offerings of raw meat products and consider broadening their product range.
In this article, we’ll explore why diversification is crucial for butchers, how they can diversify, the benefits they stand to gain, and how RATIONAL’s professional commercial kitchen, butcher equipment, and combi oven products can help!
Consumer preferences are constantly evolving. Modern customers are not only seeking quality raw meats and sustainability, they are also interested in “value-added” products that offer convenience and variety. By diversifying their offerings, butchers can tap into these changing consumer trends, creating additional revenue streams and attracting new customers who may not even have considered visiting a traditional butchers shop before.
This doesn't mean replacing your traditional raw meat offerings entirely, but rather complementing them with a broader range of products. This approach opens the door to a number of benefits including creating additional revenue streams (and these value-added products often carry higher profit margins). It also allows butchers to attract new customer segments who may not have visited your shop before. These new customers might be busy professionals looking for quick meal solutions, health-conscious consumers seeking lean, ready-to-cook proteins, or food enthusiasts wanting to try unique, gourmet meat products.
1. One popular option is selling freshly cooked meat pies and other baked goods. These ready-to-eat items cater to busy consumers looking for quick meal solutions.
2. Additionally, butchers can create ready-to-eat meals such as roast dinners or stir-fry mixes, which can be heated at home. This provides convenience and showcases the quality of the butcher's meat in a tasty, prepared dish.
3. Providing catering services for events is another potential avenue for diversification. This allows butchers to demonstrate their expertise and high-quality products on a larger scale.
4. Finally, selling meat-based condiments and sauces (like homemade gravy or artisanal sausage stuffing) can complement the butcher’s primary offerings, and provide an additional income stream.
Diversifying and elevating your butcher shop business means investing in the right equipment and tools to reach your goals.
With the versatile RATIONAL iCombi Pro offering a wide range of cooking options, from roasting and baking to steaming and grilling, you can easily enhance your butcher shop and rapidly expand your product range significantly. A professional commercial combination oven, the iCombi Pro is user-friendly, with intelligent cooking paths that automatically adjust the temperature, cooking time, and humidity levels to ensure consistent results. This enables butchers to produce diverse, high-quality prepared foods with minimal effort.
Diversification is no longer a luxury but a necessity for butchers in today's competitive market. By offering more than just raw meat products, butchers can attract a wider customer base, increase their revenue, and ensure their business remains sustainable in the long run. Our customers agree that the RATIONAL iCombi Pro and its vast versatility and ease of use make it a valuable ally in your business' diversification journey. It's high time for butchers to step out of their comfort zone and embrace new products and new customers!
To learn more about RATIONAL and read the outstanding feedback we receive from our customers, click here or get in touch with a member of the team to learn more.