Look what’s back!

The popular Canadian line of food by the Loblaw Companies made a return to the island two weeks ago when its cookies started filling the shelves at Lindo’s. 

President’s Choice pulled up stakes in Bermuda in 2007 when it stopped exporting outside of Canada.

Dunkley’s is the Bermuda distributor for the product and while Lindo’s is the first store to have the President’s Choice brand, it will be available to any store that wants the product.

Stephen Dunkley, general manager for Dunkley’s, told the Bermuda Sun, “We were approached by the people who are in charge of exporting President’s Choice. They came down to Bermuda and we were one of a few they spoke with and they chose to go with us.”

He said this wasn’t a coup in getting the popular product.

“It’s business as usual for the wholesale distribution world. Lines come and go. Over the years I’ve introduced all kinds of lines that are big now. It’s a matter of looking at ways of growing our business in Bermuda, especially in a shrinking economy. 

“President’s Choice was in Bermuda before, and it disappeared through no fault of anybody in Bermuda.”

He said there wasn’t room to bring in the whole range of products from President’s Choice as there are thousands of stock keeping units (SKUs). 

“We’re looking to grow the line, starting off with the cookies and crackers we have now because that is very familiar to residents here.”

Mr Dunkley said other products would be added slowly. 

“We can’t just go into a grocery store and say ‘I’ve got 500 skus, find place for it’, but it all takes time. We’re probably going to be hitting all the familiar ones that people in Bermuda were used to before — the sauces, the puddings, the frozen entrees and the d’oeuvres.”

He added: “This is a good product and I guess residents missed this more than we thought. Now that it’s back there is a good bit of excitement. We will slowly be making available to all the stores across the island. Only Lindo’s has it now but whoever wants it can have it. Lindo’s got it because they were the first people to say to us ‘Yes, we’ll work with you and get it going again.’ ”

He added as the shipments come in Dunkley’s will increase the number of stores it is available for purchase.

Fantastic

Zach Moniz, manager at Lindo’s says the response from the public has been “fantastic.”

He told the Bermuda Sun: “We’re really excited because it’s one item we couldn’t get that people liked. Dunkley’s will be selling it to everybody, but they’re trying to iron out the logistical side of things in making sure they can supply everybody.”

Mr Moniz said more products will be added in the weeks and months ahead by at the moment they are only carrying about 18 different types of cookies, including the hugely popular The Decadent Chocolate Chip.

“Those are back on the shelf,” said Mr Moniz. “The second item might be crackers, but once Dunkley’s figures out the logistical side of things and how the supplies are going to work, what kind of lead times they are going to need, more and more things will be added. 

“People should stay tuned because things will start appearing all of a sudden. We’ll have the sauces and some frozen products.”

Mr Moniz added: “It started out as a generic brand in Canada, but it really isn’t any more and hasn’t been for quite a while. It’s a brand name. It’s a top quality product and we’re really happy to be selling it.”