Here’s the seventh of this ten…
Carol Philp
Account Manager
Matthew Clark
Glasgow City
Carol’s been with Matthew Clark for six years and in this role for three.
” I started my journey into the drinks trade at Wallaces Express and when the opportunity to gain more wine knowledge, and WSET qualifications with Matthew Clark came along, I jumped at the chance”.
“Obviously, we are a wholesaler for all on trade drinks supplies, so I never take my eye off
any category and coming from a background in marketing and brands, I
love trends and directions and analysing buying behaviour too, all of
which are integral parts of my role”.
So what’s happening out there right now?
“The latest data shows that the consumer base is now younger in
Scotland’s on-trade than before lockdown, and this is draught and cocktail led, with less wine
being consumed, although Prosecco is up there and is flying.
“That said, the mid-age range customer is beginning to slowly come back
for occasions like midweek lunches but a lot of these people are staying local,
not travelling to city centres which remain quiet and I guess that will
change once people start to get a little more confident.”
Carol was furloughed in first lockdown and involved in internal projects
and flexi-furloughed since June last year.
What does Carol think the future holds for the trade? “It’s been a hard
slog, but when is hospitality ever easy? And one of the things that I’ve
found so inspiring is the amount of ingenuity we have seen among
operators.
“This situation has allowed them to take time to look at how they can
pivot their businesses and do things differently and to put these
changes in place. Look at what Paul Reynolds did at Gin 71 and Cup Glasgow
with home delivered afternoon teas, they were phenomenally well received.
“Being quick to react to changing circumstances and trends has always
been one of hospitality’s strengths . I try not to focus on the
negative like support from the government lacking in a major way, and the
fact we should have opened up quicker, because I know the industry will
get back on its feet.”
