London Drugs is helping restauranteurs in Airdrie sell their house-brand consumer packaged products at its retail locations.
“This (year has been) a really hard time for restaurants and London Drugs is in a unique position to help out,” says Brady Dolan, store manager at London Drugs in Airdrie.
“With the Local Central program already in place, we can offer them the opportunity to sell their house brand products on our shelves while also providing an opportunity for customers to pick up their favourite local items and support their favourite restaurants companies.”
Restaurants with specialty items suitable for retail sales – such as sauces, jams, rubs, apparel and more – are encouraged to submit them for immediate consideration to be stocked and sold on London Drugs shelves.
“The collateral damage to small businesses created by the pandemic has been devastating and, the restaurant industry — particularly those small and locally-owned — have sustained one of the heaviest blows,” says Clint Mahlman, president and COO of London Drugs.
“As a company, we want to offer any support we can to restaurateurs and businesses in our communities right now, and we know our customers do too.”
London Drugs launched their Local Central program last April, offering shelf space to small businesses impacted by COVID to sell their products in stores. Since its launch, the program has supported more than 100 local businesses helping them earn hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time when they might otherwise have had no revenues due to pandemic-related store closures.
“One hundred per cent of the proceeds from the sales of the products go back to the local restaurants at this critical time,” says Dolan.
He says that London Drugs is ready to review product submissions immediately, and local restaurants could see their packaged products and merchandise on store shelves within the week.
“The last year has pushed local businesses – including London Drugs – to become incredibly nimble,” says Mahlman.
“One of the most public ways this has played out has been in the quick response of local restaurants and businesses to sudden closures and evolving distancing measures. With the Local Central program already in place, we are in a unique position to offer support quickly.”
To submit products for review, restaurant owners can visit the application form online by clicking here.
stacie@frogmediainc.ca
