The structure of the food industry: an historical review

Abstract

The Cadbury business started in 1824 when my great‐grandfather opened a grocer's shop in the centre of Birmingham. His first advertisement ran as follows: ‘John Cadbury is desirous of introducing to particular notice Cocoa Nibs prepared by himself, an article affording a most nutritious beverage for breakfast’. Soon the preparation of cocoa became his main business and the shop was handed over to his nephew Richard Cadbury Barrow. (It continued as Barrows Stores until it was bought by Fitch Lovell in 1965). This was the way in which most food manufacturers started and it is worth noting that it was the shopkeeper who blended the tea, ground the coffee, and prepared the cocoa nibs. The shopkeeper sold his wares on the strength of his reputation and his greatest problem was buying raw materials of consistent quality.

Citation

Cadbury, A. (1983), "The structure of the food industry: an historical review", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 83 No. 5, pp. 18-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb058976