First Horeca outlet opens in Kerala

KOCHI: Booming food and beverages industry in Kerala has brought the first B2B store for hotels, restaurants and caterers (Horeca) to the state.
The outlet that started operating in Kochi hopes to attract more customers to the concept of Horeca. `` We expect to achieve a sale of Rs 125 crore in the first year of operation,’’ said P T Antony, managing director of Cochin Trade Links and Choice Specialty Food Products, the promoters of the store called Host.

The two promoter companies are the B2B distributors for more than 35 F&B brands and have been catering to the needs of almost all the star hotels, resorts and restaurants in the state. Antony said it would be easier for hotels and caterers as all their F&B requirement will be available under one roof thus avoiding the need to go to different wholesalers.

He said the group’s sister concerns in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kottayam and a distributor alliance in Kozhikode will ensure meeting the B2B needs of these places. `` The USP of this concept is price as the products are offered at the most competitive rates,’’ Antony said. The 24000 sq ft. facility has demo kitchen for various cooking demonstrations and experiments targeted at the industry.

Antony said the store will be expanded to 1 lakh sq ft. in three years.