Sainsbury's changes Howie deal in Scotland

- Published: 16 March, 2007

Butcher Shop of the Year winner, Simon Howie, will no longer operate butcher counters in Scottish Sainsbury's stores and the Simon Howie brand will be stripped from on pack labels with the possible exception of some manufactured goods.

Simon Howie, managing director of Simon Howie butchers, said his supplies would now be delivered through Sainsbury's depots as opposed to directly to the stores and would be branded as Sainsbury's own product.

"It's a change, but it's not a major negative. In fact it will probabaly work better for us, as it will save us money on delivery," Howie said.

Howie stressed his company had a good working relationship with Sainsbury's and said it made sense, as Sainsbury's saw he was developing business relationships with other supermarkets.

A Sainsbury's spokesman declined to comment on its supply relationships, but said there had been changes to its operations in Scotland.