Smithfield to Open Retail Outlet

Smithfield Meats is expanding their business plan with a prototype retail store.  Hams as well as the new line of Paula Deen food products will be available.  If all goes well the retail idea will continue and new stores will open up.According to the Daily Press:

The new specialty foods store is part of Smithfield Foods’ drive to become more than just a company that sells meat. The firm has also forged a deal to exclusively develop and market products for celebrity chef Paula Deen. The Deen products are being sold only through Smithfield’s emerging retail channels.

Smithfield now sells some of its products to the public through four retail shops and a catalog. The company is slowly expanding that reach by opening more stores, such as the new Williamsburg ham shop, which will sell the Deen products.

“We hope that this is the first of several Genuine Smithfield Ham Shoppes that will open in the future,” said Terri Morgan, retail director for the Smithfield Specialty Foods Group. “This is the prototype.”