16/3/21

Edinburgh-based entrepreneurs Ewan Thomson and Tom Sheppard spotted a gap in the market for a grocery delivery service that supports local businesses whilst offering the customer the convenience of large supermarket ordering systems.

Ewan said: “Whilst there are many services out there delivering local goods, they mostly lack two things. The option to also order basic household items, and the flexibility to choose an allotted delivery slot. Our concept offers customers a service similar to the large supermarkets, but with produce from local butchers, bakers, fishmongers, dairies and breweries.”

Tasty Basket launched in January and is quickly evolving, taking on new local suppliers every week. The pricing structure ensures the customer will always pay less for local than through other retailers.

Customers visit Tasty Basket’s website to select produce by retailer or similar product types; in essence ordering goods from many different local suppliers, supporting local high streets and buying from their favourite shops within Edinburgh.

As well as fresh produce, Tasty Basket offer larder items like pasta and baked beans, and non-food products like household cleaning items and toiletries, meaning the customer can order a full shop, similar to a large supermarket.

Tom Said: “The idea for Tasty Basket came to me when I was moving house and I didn’t have the time to get to my favourite independent shops. I especially wanted sausages from Anderson’s on Edinburgh’s Great Junction Street and I just couldn’t understand why a service like this didn’t exist.” 

As well as benefitting the consumer, Tasty Basket also offers local producers the opportunity to improve their accessibility to new customers, changing the way people shop.

Tom continued: “We’re in talks with a lot of local independents right now, people like the Edinburgh Butter Co, Edinburgh Kombucha, and Ocelot chocolate. Our customers are returning for more and we’re committed to increasing the offering over the next few weeks. Like me, there are lots of people passionate about supporting local that can find it difficult to access. Tasty Basket aims to change that.”

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ABOUT

https://www.tastybasket.co.uk/

Instagram: @basket_tasty

Facebook: Tasty Basket

Tasty Basket offers delivery 5 days a week to all Edinburgh addresses.

The minimum order is £25 with a delivery fee of £3.99.

Orders over £60 get free delivery.

LOCAL SUPPLIERS

I.J. Mellis

Breadwinner Bakery

Bonaly Farm Dairy

Charles Stamper greengrocer

Charles Wilson & James Anderson butcher

Welch Fishmongers

Great Grog Wine Shop

Port of Leith Distillery

Edinburgh Tea & Coffee

Cushiedoos

Pilot Beer

Wemyss Malts

Edinburgh Preserves

FOUNDERS

Tom Sheppard, 40

Tom has a background in distribution and logistics that spanned 12 years before he switched to category management and account management for newspapers and magazines in 2008. Since 2011 he has built up, and run, a successful independent magazine category management business. He diversified into equities and was looking to start a new business around food.

Ewan Thomson, 55

Ewan has 30 years’ experience in logistics of parcels, bulk whisky and waste. His last role was MD of a postal start-up business that he formed 2009 and sold for £3.5m 2016.