A FRUITY business idea could be the start of a 100-store retail empire for 26-year-old Salim Rashid.
Salim opened the UK’s flagship Edible Arrangements store in March, the 663rd in a chain which already covers the whole of North America. Now he is hoping the novelty fruit-based gifts will take this country by storm too.
Two months after opening, the best-selling item is a delicious fruit bouquet overflowing with pineapple daisies, strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe and honeydew melon. These creations are pushing Salim’s Manchester business towards a £750,000 turnover.
The former Co-op Wholesale Society buyer explains: “I was specialising in carpets and upholstery when I first came across the idea of Edible Arrangements. It didn’t take me long to see the scope there was - basically you can give an edible arrangement whenever you might have given a bouquet of flowers.
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“They are gifts for individuals, but they are also ideal in the corporate sector. We’ve already had Volkswagen in Old Trafford choose us for their gifts.”
The Manchester store is now selling more than 50 fruit bouquets a week.
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