Greater London Enterprise Awards 2020

32 | Greater London Awards 2020 33 | Greater London Awards 2020 When Shehbaz Khan was walking through the markets in Oman, he couldn’t have known a heavenly smell would lead him to starting a thriving business in the heart of London. We take a closer look at The Frankincense Store to see how this firm came about, what drives it forward, and why the team don’t just sell a product, but a way of finding a true connection with the Divine. The Frankincense Store’s humble beginnings started in the summer of 2009. Despite having as little as 2kg to sell at the Camden Market once a month, it wasn’t long before the business took off and became a roaring success. Now based on Chepstow Road in the heart of Notting Hill, it’s clear that the firm has become the foremost provider of frankincense in London. It was the spiritual effect of frankincense on Shehbaz that truly inspired him to create a dedicated space for it in London. Frankincense carries with it a long list of healing and purification properties, as well as a strong heritage of allowing others to connect with the Divine. Using ancient knowledge from the Bedouins of Oman, alongside his own research and creativity combined, Shehbaz not only provides the highest quality product, but presents frankincense in its fullness. The team have a strong belief in the power of frankincense to create a connection with the Divine, regardless of race, culture, religion or spiritual background. At the Frankincense Store, there is the power to bring positive energy to a busy world that creates stress and worry. As a result, the team are committed to bringing an approach of good character, faith, manners, reasoning and behaviour to the business, pushing back against forces that would guide them towards greed and gluttony. Most Pioneering Aromatics Retailer 2020 This ethical approach feeds into every aspect of the Store. Shehbaz practices ethical trading by ensuring that staff, customers and suppliers are treated fairly. One of the areas in which Shehbaz is most passionate is in his treatment of the environment. The team recycle wherever possible, reusing packaging that is sent from suppliers to refill parcels that the team sends out. Everything that the team sends can be recycled too, from stickers to the packet. Any plastics used are biodegradable to ensure that as little damage to the environment is done. The team also treats the frankincense they sell with respect. Although they trade in large amounts, surrounded by hundreds of kilograms, no piece of resin is wasted. Every piece has the power to make a difference to an individual. To keep the frankincense’s quality at its highest, the team use hessian sacks which allows the resins to breathe. These steps play an enormous part in the firm’s overall success. Oct20419 A love of good food is something we all share. There’s really nothing better than tucking into your favourite dish. And the beauty of food is that it comes in so many different shapes, forms, and flavours, meaning you’re always going to find a dish that will tantalise your taste buds. Eurocross Frozen Foods knows this all too well. This UK-based importer and wholesale distributor of frozen seafood specialises in products for the ethnic communities in the UK and Europe. Discover more about this firm as we unpack its success during what has been a difficult year for us all. Eurocross prides itself on its ability to source the very best quality products from across the globe, delivering them to communities throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. Armed with years of experience working throughout the food industry, the firm supplies mainly to retail, with the bulk of customers and buyers being ethnic supermarkets, grocery shops, fishmongers, and market stalls. The brand also serves a growing number of wholesale customers in Billingsgate Fish Market. But what makes Eurocross so different and award-worthy? Firstly, the company is constantly looking to improve and innovate. This approach has continued to drive the business forward, earning it a reputation for delivering an outstanding standard of service. And, as a dedicated and passionate family business that is now in its second generation, Eurocross has a lot of fresh ideas when it comes to taking the business to new heights! From researching, developing, and introducing new products, through to finding new and exciting solutions to improve upon existing lines and reduce plastic packaging, there really is no stopping the firm from achieving its goals. The product range is always growing, and is seemingly in a state of constant high demand. Based on the outskirts of East London, Eurocross is extremely well placed to serve the capital, and can fulfil orders on the same day they are placed. This has allowed the company to connect with a whole host of local traders operating throughout the capital. Local traders in street markets seldom also have enough storage space for big deliveries, and therefore require deliveries that are little and often, which Eurocross can accommodate. Best International Frozen Food Supplier - UK Behind these deliveries, and the work that Eurocross does outside of delivering, there is an outstanding team of people who are dedicated to providing the very best service possible. But that’s not all. The team has also recently relocated to a new warehouse in Rainham, which is bigger and better in every sense. There is a purpose-built 1000-metric ton capacity, state-of- the-art cold storage area to accommodate an increase in demand for products, as well as solar photovoltaic electricity generation system for increased environmentally sustainable and lower operating costs. One of the biggest trends in frozen foods is convenience and Eurocross is perfectly equipped to provide a convenient service. For example, whereas Eurocross used to sell a lot of bulk seafood, it is now finding consumers who are seeking out prepared fish, packaged in convenient retail packs. The COVID-19 pandemic also led to a significant amount panic buying when lockdown was first announced, leaving stock in very short supply. These trends have come and gone, but Eurocross can pride itself on the fact that it has not sacrificed its exceptional business principles during these times. For example, during the worst of COVID-19, the business managed to keep supplying its customers, taking all the necessary steps to keep trading. Looking to the future, Eurocross will continue to serve retailers, but also individuals. Although the main business is wholesale, the firm has set up an eCommerce website to enable it to sell directly to consumers at home. Again, another indication that the business can respond to changing times and customer needs. The website has been live for a couple of years, but the COVID-19 pandemic saw a huge jump in vulnerable and elderly people ordering; those who would not otherwise be able to access these products. Digitalising the service truly brings it into the future, and there are plans to maximise investment and growth in this area. Ultimately, Eurocross is an outstanding British business that has refused to be beaten by COVID-19. Instead, it continues to stand tall and proud, delivering the best-tasting frozen foods to retailers all over the country at a time where keeping stock high is absolutely imperative. Company: Eurocross Frozen Foods (London) Ltd Contact: Mohammed Rob Website: https://www.eurocross.co.uk/ Sep20140 When customers turn to the Frankincense Store, they know that they will receive superb customer service. The team are experts in the field, able to find the ideal solution and frankincense to suit their specific needs. With such a long and rich history, it goes without saying that there are many amazing facts and secrets hidden behind this ancient natural herb that serve as an attractive selling point to many. It’s what keeps customers coming back for more. The heavenly scent of frankincense is one that once tried cannot be ignored. The sheer potential of this impressive product has grown exponentially since 2009, leading Shehbaz and his team to incredible levels of success. We look forward to seeing what he has to offer the expanding world of frankincense lovers in the future. Company: The Frankincense Store Contact: Shehbaz Khan Website: https://www.houseoffrankincense.com/ Email: mail@thefrankincensestore.com Despite having as little as 2kg to sell at the Camden Market once a month, it wasn’t long before the business took off and became a roaring success.