We’re delighted to be supporting Co-op to hold a Meet the Buyer event at the Scotland Food & Drink office in Ratho, Edinburgh on Thursday 23rd May.
The Co-op national category buyer and local buying team are looking for new beer, cider and RTD (ready to drink) mixed spirits and cocktail suppliers.
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by millions of UK consumers, the Co-op operates 2,500 food stores and provides products to over 5,100 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited.
The Opportunity
After applications are submitted, suppliers will be selected for:
An in-person meeting with Co-op on 23 May.
OR
An opportunity to send product samples and a short presentation to the Co-op team (this will not be in-person and the Co-op team will review these submissions separately).
Due to a limited amount of meetings slots available on the day, this will allow for more Scottish suppliers to get their products in front of Co-op buyers.
What is Co-op looking for?
The Co-op national category buyer and local buying team are looking for new beer, cider and RTD (ready to drink) mixed spirits and cocktail suppliers.
The Co-op team are looking for lines for both category plans and regional local plans and they are keen to meet a variety of suppliers and see products ranging from traditional to those that are ‘different and modern’.
The buying team are keen to see what’s new in the market and find products that will resonate with Co-op customers.
Requirements
Products should be canned or bottled in premises with SALSA or BRC accreditation.
What is the route to market?
Supply will either be via the Co-op regional distribution centre or via a specified distributor. This will depend on level of distribution, volume and what’s workable for both the supplier and Co-op.
Costs
- Members of Scotland Food & Drink: Free
- Members of Regional Food Groups: £100
- Members of Scotland Food & Drink Partnership Organisations: £100
- Non Members: £150
Key dates and next steps
- Applications will close at 11pm on 17 April
- Successful applicants will be notified by 8 May where applicants will be given more information on the event. This will include instructions on how to book a meeting slot or how to send samples and presentation slides to the Co-op team
- The event will take place on 23 May at the Scotland Food & Drink offices.
Please contact meetthebuyer@foodanddrink.scot with any questions.
This opportunity is now closed for applications.