Latest News
Kitting out a deli counter is a different job from stocking a takeaway, even in a shop that runs both side by side. A deli counter puts food on display for customers to choose, then re-portions and wraps the same product to order, which changes what the packaging needs to do at each stage. Get the spec wrong, and you end up with dead stock: pots that will not stack, bags that do not suit a self-serve display, lids that fit nothing else on the shelf.
This guide covers the pots, wrapping, bags, and portion packs that a UK deli counter actually needs, based on what we see working on busy counters day to day. If food safety is more your focus right now, our guide to food safety and packaging regulations covers that side separately.
A deli counter needs clear deli pots and tamper tubs for pre-portioned salads and sides, larger clear containers for bulk prepared lines in the display fridge, greaseproof and deli sheets for wrapping and interleaving, film front bags for grab-and-go sandwiches, paper sandwich bags and paper carrier bags for finished orders, sauce and portion pots for dressings and dips, and service items including cutlery and napkins.
The list runs wider than a takeaway spec because a takeaway packs one hot item into one box. A deli sells the same tub of coleslaw three ways: on display, portioned to order, and as part of a meal deal. A rigid pot that stacks in a fridge isn’t the same buy as a film-front bag in a self-serve basket, and treating them as one container in two sizes is how counters end up with dead stock.
Clear deli pots and tamper tubs are the best containers for deli counter display, holding pre-portioned salads, coleslaw, hummus, olives, pasta salads, and desserts. Transparency does commercial work. A customer who can identify a product without asking decides faster, and at a lunchtime peak, that queue speed is worth more than the few pence between one pot and another.
Tamper-evident lids are part of basic food safety and packaging regulations for anything pre-packed and held on the counter or for collection, since the seal shows the pack has not been opened. Salads and sandwiches packed on site also fall under PPDS allergen labelling rules, so leave flat label space on the pot or lid. Larger clear containers cover bulk prepared and trayed lines in a display fridge. Our deli pots range from small sizes for dips and sides, through mid-sized options for a single-portion salad, to larger family and meal-deal formats.
| Quick tip: Stick to two or three pot sizes. Interchangeable lids reduce picking errors, speed up service, and stop you from carrying five partially used boxes of lids that fit one line each. |
Greaseproof and deli sheets handle three jobs at a deli counter: wrapping made-to-order sandwiches, interleaving sliced meats and cheeses, and lining baskets and trays. The grease resistance keeps fillings off the customer’s hands and stops the outer bag from going translucent before it reaches the desk. Our greaseproof/deli sheets cover counter wrapping and back-of-house interleaving.
The choice between greaseproof and a film front bag comes down to the filling and the display method, not the material spec. Greaseproof wins for hot or oily fillings, made-to-order baguettes and wraps, and anything staff hand over directly. A film front bag wins for pre-made sandwiches and bakery on a self-serve display, where the customer needs to see the product first.
Packaging for sandwich shops and grab-and-go service comes down to three bag formats: film front bags for visibility, paper sandwich bags for wrapped or hot items, and paper carrier bags for multi-item orders. Our film front bags suit sandwiches, pastries, cookies, and baked goods on a self-serve display, where the clear panel does the selling and the paper back takes the print.
Paper sandwich bags are the right call once the customer has chosen: hot-filled rolls, toasties, and anything wrapped at the counter. Paper carrier bags cover office runs, and handled versions are worth stocking if you regularly send out four or five boxed salads at once. Custom-branded bags put your shop name in front of an office full of people who have not visited yet.
Sauce and portion pots hold individual dressings, dips, olives, and garnishes sold alongside salads and sandwiches. They are small, but they protect margin: a measured pot ends the free-pour dressing problem and turns a giveaway into a priced add-on. Lidded pots are essential for anything travelling, while lidless or vented pots are fine for on-site garnishes.
| Stock note: Order deeper than you expect on pots. They move faster than any other line on a counter, and running out mid-service costs you the upsell on every order that day. |
Most of a deli spec can move to compostable or recyclable formats without changing how the counter operates. Compostable PLA deli pots work for cold salads, sides, and desserts. Eco deli sheets in kraft paper with a soy-blend wax finish replace conventional greaseproof for wrapping and lining. Recyclable PET holds its place where clarity and rigidity matter on chilled display.
Phase it line by line. Start with your highest-volume item, keep sizes identical so lids and shelf layouts do not change, and tell customers what to do with the pack. Keep the wording tied to the material, so “compostable PLA” or “made from sugarcane fibre” rather than a blanket green claim, which is what the CMA Green Claims Code expects if budget is the sticking point.
Our guide to the cost of switching to eco-friendly packaging shows where the price gap sits.
Once you know what packaging a deli counter needs, specify the whole list with one supplier. Buying display pots, greaseproof sheets, film front bags, sauce pots, and service lines from us cuts admin, consolidates carriage, and makes the free delivery threshold easier to hit on a single order.
We are a UK wholesale supplier based in Park Royal, London, selling at trade prices to delis, sandwich shops, cafés, and caterers nationwide, with custom-branded printing available on bags, cups, and pots. Delivery is 1 to 2 working days, and delivery is free on orders over £130 ex VAT.
Ready to specify your counter? Build the full deli packaging list from our range, and we will price a complete counter spec for you. For bulk quantities or help building a full counter spec, call our team today.
A deli counter needs clear deli pots and tamper tubs for pre-portioned salads and sides, larger clear containers for display fridge lines, greaseproof and deli sheets for wrapping and interleaving, film front bags and paper bags for grab-and-go, sauce pots for dressings, and service items such as cutlery and napkins. That covers five jobs: display, portioning, wrapping, bagging, and service.
Clear deli pots and tamper tubs are the best containers for deli counter display because customers can identify the contents without asking, which speeds up service at peak times. Tamper-evident lids suit pre-packed items left on the counter or held for collection. Larger clear containers hold bulk-prepared lines inside a display fridge.
Use greaseproof paper for made-to-order sandwiches, baguettes, and wraps with hot or oily fillings, because it stops grease from reaching the customer’s hands. Use film front bags for pre-made sandwiches and bakery items on a self-serve display, where visibility drives sales. Many sandwich shops use both: greaseproof inside, film-front bag outside.
Yes. Compostable deli pots made from PLA cover cold salads, sides, and desserts, eco deli sheets use kraft paper with a soy-blend wax finish, and recyclable PET suits chilled display where clarity matters. Switching one high-volume line at a time keeps sizes and lids consistent while you transition.
Smaller pots suit dips, dressings, and garnishes, mid-sized pots work for a single-portion salad or side, and larger pots cover family and meal-deal portions. Limiting yourself to two or three sizes with interchangeable lids reduces picking errors and keeps shelf stacking tidy.
