1 August, 2014

Commonwealth Games set to boost sales in Scottish food and drink

Demand for haggis is rocketing along with other iconic Scottish food and drink products as a result of the Commonwealth Games.

Initial sales at Tesco show that the games are having a significant effect in highlighting and boosting interest in Scottish food and drink across the UK.

Over the course of the games, Tesco expects sales to rise by:

·         Haggis and  black or white puddings - demand expected to rise by 80 per cent

·         Shortbread - up to 60 per cent

·         Scottish bottled water - up to 50 per cent

·         Malt whisky - up to 30 per cent

·         Tunnocks tea cakes - up to 20 per cent

·         Smoked salmon - up to 18 per cent

Tesco head of local sourcing Sarah Mackie said: "The Commonwealth Games has put a world spotlight on Scotland and created a natural curiosity for shoppers around the UK to try out Scottish food and drink.

"We expected to see demand grow in our Scottish stores but customers right across Britain are buying Scottish products - it is a great testament to the wonderful range of products that producers in Scotland create.

"Haggis has been the real winner so far during the games and it may now become more popular south of the border as a result."

Tesco has promoted Scottish food and drink in several of its Glasgow stores through sampling tours whereby shoppers can try different delicacies. It stocks more than 1500 local and regional lines.

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