From this good start Alston Dairy were selling 30 dozen pots a week to small local shops but this was not going to make sufficient money on a long term basis and Ann’s vision always was to aim for the supermarkets. An appointment with local supermarket EH Booths followed to see the dairy buyer Mr Hunter. Ann went with her tray of yogurts, no briefcase or fancy presentation and asked that he try her product in just 2 stores and if they didn’t sell she wouldn’t bother him again.
Her first order was for 20 dozen and in week 2 another order for 20 dozen followed in week 3 Ann decided to do a tasting in one of the shops, over the Thursday, Friday/Saturday she sold 1000 pots in the Lancaster Store and 1200 pots repeating the exercise the following week in the Clitheroe store. Armed with the sales proof she then returned to the buyer and got listings in another 2 stores and within 6 months they were supplying all the Booths stores (24 at the time).
