Business Recorder had the opportunity to chat with Neco’s manager, Mariam Akbar Ali. Here are a few excerpts from that interview:
BR: How many entities does the HobNob Group consist of?
Mariam: HobNob Café, HobNob bakers and Neco's.
BR: Why was Copper Kettle's name changed to HobNob Café?
Mariam: The name was changed to create synergy between the café and the bakery.
BR: How is HobNob Café different...or is it...in comparison to Copper Kettle?
Mariam: The HobNob Café is basically Copper Kettle reinvented. It's an old fashioned diner; though the menu has been expanded and modified it still retains some of the old items.
BR: How would you describe Neco's?
Mariam: Neco's is a natural eco store, which consists of a café deli/bakery and a store that sells natural and organic products. It is a unique concept of serving natural food.
BR: What is the target audience for Neco's?
Mariam: Neco's targets fitness minded, diet conscious and young parents. Neco's provides what health conscious people are looking for at a very reasonable cost. Neco's has created a space where people can come and get natural food.
BR: What ethics does Neco’s work on?
Mariam: Neco's believes in providing a farmers' market set up. Biodegradable bags are used in order to reduce pollution. Neco's remains closed on Monday's, in order to maintain their service quality and for hygienic reasons. Also the whole idea of a friendly environment is when the staff is at full strength as customers like their regular helpers to be around. Neco's does not add colour or use artificial flavour in its food, and tries its best to bake food instead of frying it. Neco's store provides organic and natural products at a very affordable price.
BR: Three different entities providing different food items. Doesn't HobNob contradict the thinking behind Neco's?
Mariam: No it does not. It is like three different places catering to different tastes. We are not trying to mix the concepts; just providing what people want.
BR: Are both entities independent of each other or do they combine their resources?
Mariam: Yes we do cross marketing and cross selling between both entities.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2011