Page 8 - Charlie Bigham CS

WAITROSE

“I found at the time that people are
generally open to talking to you and
sharing their experience, because

everyone started once. I get a lot of people who talk
to me now. People are free with their advice. I
chatted to someone early on and said I wouldn't sell

in a supermarket, and they said I was an idiot and
should talk to Waitrose, because they aren't like other
supermarkets and are nice people.”

Charlie Bigham

Bigham realised that in order to grow his business he needed to

secure a contract with one of the UK’s supermarket groups.
Consequently, he cold-called Waitrose.

"I just picked up the phone and rang the Waitrose

switchboard. I managed to persuade a lovely woman
on the phone to put me through to a buyer. I got a
meeting, and the buyer said she would give us a go."

GROWTH

Initially, Waitrose stocked three of
Bigham’s meals in 30 stores for a trial
period, and then nationwide. Other

outlets such as the online supermarket Ocado and then Booths, the
north of England supermarket chain quickly followed on from Waitrose.