When we heard about the merger between MyExpatShop and Bite Sized British Shop, we immediately contacted the owner Xanthe Visram from Bite Sized British Shop. She explains that she is passionate about books and child literacy, previously selling books to families in the Vevey/Montreux area. We caught up with her and she explained how she started selling the best of British foodstuffs as well. She is also offering a delicious tin of shortbread biscuits to one lucky knowitall reader... see the competition below.
How did the idea get started?
A friend asked me if I happened to know anyone who was looking for commercial space as some had opened up next to her English school and when I walked in inspiration struck! I just knew that I could make it into a warm and welcoming British shop.
Although the original space didn’t work out, I soon found a better location and in 2019 I opened Bite Sized, my British shop, in St-Légier, VD.
The shop is now full of British food products, gifts, games, art from local artists, greeting cards and over 1,500 new books in English.
Have you been working on this idea forever?
During the pandemic it became essential to move my business online. At that time I was able to offer Click & Collect services while shops couldn’t open their doors.
Since then it has developed so that I am now able to sell and deliver all of my products across Switzerland, including crumpets and sausages via the website.
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
Without a doubt the biggest obstacle has been Brexit. Popular products that customers love have suddenly become hard to source or have such extensive paperwork that they can no longer be affordably imported.
Which is why I have partnered with excellent wholesalers like MyExpatShop. This is ensured that we get what the customers want.
Merger with MyExpatShop
Bite Sized and MyExpatShop, both well established providers of British products in Switzerland, have formed a new partnership.
Bite Sized and MyExpatShop are collaborating to offer more products and a smoother service to everyone via the website for BiteSizedBritShop.
The MyExpatShop retail website will be closing at the end of April 2024 and Bite Sized is welcoming all of the MyExpatShop customers. This will result in more focus on wholesale for MyExpatShop and retail for Bite Sized. We are very excited to be bringing this new partnership to our customers!
Bite Sized hosts events such as:
- Annual 2nd Hand Books Sale upcoming on Saturday, 1 June 2024
- Showcasing local artists
- Promoting local authors
- Supporting small local entrepreneurs
- Storytimes for Toddlers & Babies
- Events to raise money for charity
- The King’s Coronation Celebration was held here too.
Whilst the physical shop is the heart of the business, Bite Sized will be offering more products to customers across Switzerland each week. Currently we have over 1,000 available on the website and that grows all the time.
What are your most popular products?
The most popular food products at the shop are Yorkshire Tea, Irn Bru, Light Soft Brown Sugar and Shreddies. From the Chilled and Frozen range most people want crumpets and sausages.
When it come to books, the most popular are comics like Dogman and stories by Roald Dahl and David Walliams.
For gifts, the tea towels by local artist Nattawut Design are extremely popular. They are witty and local in theme so people love the Desalps Cow or the Lavaux Vineyards designs.
What others are saying about Bite Sized
“I love visiting Bite Sized, not only has excellent food products but I specially love the book section. It is also a pleasure to have a chat with the owner since she is a lovely and very helpful professional.” Ana Palop Alcaraz (Partner & Chief Accountant, WeCount SA)
“The community feel of Bite Sized is wonderful. And that’s in addition to all the yummy things you can buy.” Clare Kutschera (owner of The Craft House, Châtel-Saint-Denis)
“Our family love going to Bitesized for all the foods we miss from home, whether it’s chocolate, sauces or cleaning products! There is also a great selection of English books for all the family. We are always greeted by Xanthe, who is very friendly and helpful.” - Charlotte Hazelwood, owner of Milola, designer furniture store
Bite Sized is kindly offering one lucky knowitall reader a beautiful tin of Grandma Wild’s Finest Butterscotch Shortbread Biscuits (shown above; value CHF 13.95) to be picked up in-store only.
To enter the competition, just fill in this form and answer this multiple choice question: Which British Foods website is merging with Bite Sized - British Shop?
Only one entry per person and per email is allowed. The competition closes at midnight on Thursday, 2 May 2024. The names of all those submitting correct answers will be placed into the digital hat and the winner’s name drawn at random by Friday, 3 May 2024. No cash equivalent of prizes is permitted. The winner will be notified by email.
Bite Sized - British Shop
Route des Deux-Villages 75
1806 Saint-Légier, VD
www.BiteSizedBritShop.com
https://www.facebook.com/BitesizedBritShop
https://www.instagram.com/bitesizedbritshop
https://twitter.com/BiteBrit
Monday: 8h30-15h
Tuesday: 8h30-15h
Wednesday:8h30-11h
Thursday: 8h30-15h
Friday: 8h30-15h
Saturday: 8h30-16h
Sunday: Closed
