Hull-based entrepreneur, Phil Benson, has launched Locio, a new online shopping platform created to make the process of buying local and supporting regional businesses as simple as possible.
Customers visiting the Locio website can use the regional search function to browse hundreds of products in specific areas of Yorkshire. Producers on the website include Cooper King, Little Wold Vineyard, Yorkshire Brewery, Blending Room Coffee, and Colemans Cider.
The Locio platform is currently in soft launch and stocks a wide variety of beverages made in Yorkshire, ranging from carbon-negative gins, locally-brewed beers, ciders, and a great selection of wines from the region’s finest vineyards. Food and other products will be added in the coming months.
All of the products listed on the Locio website are available to purchase at competitive prices, but customers can access exclusive member-only prices by signing up for a monthly subscription costing £5.99, which includes free delivery on one order per month. To support the hard work of grassroots regional charities, 20% of the subscription revenue is donated to community foundations Locio has partnered with.
Phil Benson, founder of Locio, said:
“From the conversations we’ve had with customers at The Store on Pier Street, we know that people are really passionate about supporting local business but aren’t always aware of the hardworking and talented producers in the region, or don’t have the necessary transport to buy regional products.
“Locio solves that problem by listing all of the region’s finest suppliers in one place, making it easier to browse amazing products created by talented and hardworking regional producers, hand-pick and mix them, and then have them sent in one delivery, straight to your door. Not only is this a great way of supporting local producers and buying fantastic products all year round, but in the run-up to Christmas, the products make amazing presents and are sure to add something special and unique for friends and family when you tell them they’re made locally.”
David Thompson, Managing Director at Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery, said:
“We’re proud of our provenance and love collaborating with fellow businesses to showcase Yorkshire’s amazing food and drink producers and to support the local economy. We’re very excited to be a part of Locio’s great initiative to create a shopping experience with the convenience of online, but with the feel of a community shop.”
Locio is a spin-off from The Store on Pier Street, an independent grocery store located in Hull’s Fruit Market area, which was born out of a passion to support local businesses and the regional economy.
To help customers learn more about the products they’re buying, Locio works with suppliers to create video content designed to inform, educate and entertain. These videos provide behind-the-scenes insight into the operations of Locio suppliers and what makes their products so special.
To learn more about Locio, visit www.locio.co.uk