Speaker Q&A: Scott Macdonald, Sourced Market
Former Bill’s MD, Scott Macdonald is another new speaker for 2019. In his lunch! Keynote, he’ll be revealing what’s next for Sourced Market — outlining some of the ‘much needed’ changes the artisan deli, retail and dining brand has already made and what’s yet to come (2.15pm, 20 September in Keynote Theatre 1).
Which food-to-go operators / retailers do you particularly admire and why?
Island Poke, they are still innovational market leaders and the product is excellent! I have to also signal Pret, no matter their sheer size the product is incredibly consistent!
What do you feel is the key for operators to successfully compete against their competitors?
Innovation, technology (speed of transaction) and value.
In your opinion, what key trends/developments will shape food-to-go in 2020?
I think this is fairly split down the middle — healthy choice will continue to grow Market share, but I also think indulgence/treats will also continue to grow.
What does the next 12 months have in store for Sourced Market?
Change and growth. Having joined recently, we have faced up to our challenges and dealt with them head on. This will allow us to look forward with positivity and new sites!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
People! It always is, it always will be. It never ceases to amaze me, by having exactly the same group of people, how positive leadership changes mindset and productivity. Positivity breeds positivity, for staff and customers.
And the most challenging?
The uncertainty around the current political landscape. And people!
What’s your current bestselling product(s)?
Coffee, fresh juices and our vegan range of salads.
Why is innovation so vital to the food-to-go sector?
You will get left behind! Innovation is critical, it’s front and centre of our future strategy.
What innovative products are you hoping to find at lunch! show this year?
Packaging, coffee, equipment, and technologies.
Can you tell us a bit about your much-anticipated session at lunch! 2019?
Sourced Market is going through much needed change to allow us to take advantage of a growing sector. I’ll be talking though some of that change, how/why we’ve done it and the future.
What do you want visitors to take away from your session?
That anything is possible!
How important is lunch! show to the food-to-go sector?
Innovation, as I’ve said is critical. lunch! gives operators like me the space to seek out what this is under one roof!
Describe the lunch! show in 3 words:
Critical, Innovational, Fun.
Who or what inspires you to be even better?
Critics! And my children…
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Life lessons, not life sentences!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know:
I created, and subsequently received an official world record for, the world’s most expensive sandwich*! Will haunt me forever…. 😂
See Scott at lunch! 2019
Giving Customers What They Want…Hospitality 1st, Retail 2nd: 2.15pm on Friday 20 September in Keynote Theatre 1
To register for a free trade ticket, please click here.
(* The McDonald Sandwich was designed by Scott in 2006 when he was a chef at Selfridges.)
