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Wing Yip
Chinese supermarket chain in the United Kingdom From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Wing Yip is a Chinese supermarket chain founded by Woon Wing Yip in England in 1970.[2] The original Birmingham store also serves as its headquarters and national distribution centre. The company has superstore branches in Manchester, Croydon and Cricklewood.[3]
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In addition, the company has expanded into wholesale and export (international trade) and real estate development and management by situating its stores within larger commercial centres.[4] Its tofu-based meat substitutes have been popular due to vegan diets since the 2010s.[5][2]
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Founder
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The founder, Woon Wing Yip, was a Hakka born in Dongguan County, Guangdong, China, in 1937. He arrived in the United Kingdom from Hong Kong in 1959 by boat with £2. He later opened a restaurant in a former tea shop in Clacton-on-Sea, followed by three restaurants and two takeaways in the East Anglia region. In 1968, he was joined by his brother, Sammy Yap. In 1970, Wing Yip and Sammy opened a specialist Chinese grocery in Digbeth, Birmingham.
In 1977, Lee Sing Yap joined Wing Yip and Sammy. Together, they open a Manchester store on Faulkner Street, and a second Manchester store opens on Addington Street in 1978. In 1996, the Birmingham site grew to 7 acres (2.8 ha) with the purchase and development of further land, including a public road. In 1998, Wing Yip and his brothers donated a 40-foot (12 m) granite pagoda to the City of Birmingham.
Wing Yip's online shopping site was launched in 2004; it includes recipes, cooking and dining information.[1] It primarily served UK consumers. Wing Yip stocks over 4,500 products in its stores.
In 2005, Wing Yip was exhibited at the International Food Exhibition in London. By 2017, the company was the biggest "Oriental" wholesaler in the United Kingdom, also supplying supermarkets like Tesco.[6] In 2020, the company completed a £16 million expansion of its second London store in Croydon, doubling floor space and providing 60,000 square feet of warehouse space.[7] In 2022, the company reported that pre-tax profits had risen to £11 million in the year prior.[8]
The Wing Yip Group operates from four freehold sites covering 16.3 acres (6.6 ha) and employs around 300 staff.
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Awards
- 2006 – Wing Yip was the Winner of The Lord Chan Award for Outstanding Individual.[9]
- April 2008 – Wing Yip (Manchester) Ltd. achieved North West Business of the Year in the Ethnic Minority Business Forum Awards.[10]
- June 2005 – Tony Ritson, Information Technology Manager for Wing Yip, wins Best Information Security Manager 2005 from SC Magazine.[10]
- September 2008 – Birmingham City University presented Wing Yip with an honorary doctorate.
- October 2008 – The Mai Siam range achieved Gold Stars at the Great Taste Awards.
- 2008 – Wing Yip was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Birmingham City University.
- 2010 – Wing Yip was awarded the Lifetime Achievement.[specify]
- 2012 – Wing Yip was awarded an Honorary Degree from Aston University.
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See also
References
External links
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