Supplier Spotlight: Matthew Clark Bibendum

For this month’s Supplier Spotlight, which gives a snapshot of key hospitality suppliers, we speak to Nick Zalinski, head of wine development, Matthew Clark Bibendum (MCB).

Parent company C&C Group united its Matthew Clark and Bibendum divisions earlier this year to form a single on-trade entity. 

MCB brought together Matthew Clark’s drinks wholesaler scale with Bibendum’s wine expertise, which C&C believes is enhancing the offer for UK hospitality sector customers.

Here, Nick Zalinski talks about how the company’s national scale and insight can help operators to make smart commercial decisions on their drinks serves.

Describe your product portfolio in five words

Comprehensive, quality-led, competitive, evolving, desirable.

What types of hospitality operator are your products aimed at?

Everyone from gastropubs, wine bars, restaurants and fine dining to hotels, caterers and high street operators. We source quality wines at varying price points to allow operators to elevate their drinks offer and keep customers and guests coming back.

What challenges do your products help hospitality operators to meet?

We believe the strongest partnerships are built on more than products. They are built on trust, shared ambition and a genuine commitment to helping each other succeed.  Running a hospitality business is complex therefore your drinks partner should make it simpler so you can focus more on what matters. With our national scale and insight, full drinks portfolio, premium wine expertise, training and a single delivery platform, we help operators make smart commercial decisions and create exceptional drinks experiences for their customers and guests.

How do your products provide value for money?

Wine is at the heart of MCB, and our scale and efficiency allow our partners to list attractive wines at competitive prices. We add further value through a truly consultative sales approach with tailored range development, pricing strategies and premiumisation plans.

How do your products assist operators with sustainability efforts?

Behind every recommendation sits deep wine knowledge, trusted producer relationships and rigorous quality standards, giving partners confidence in the wines. We also bring organic, biodynamic, sustainable and B-Corp producers to our partners across wine and other drinks categories.

What are your top three brand values?

Partnership, expertise, simplicity.