Are you prepared? Firstly, you’ll need to get your product ready for retail sale. Exactly what you need to do will depend on the type of product you have but as a starting point we’ve put together a ‘RETAIL READY CHECKLIST’ to help you with the process.
Product and packaging
1.Ingredient analysis
Validating raw materials and ingredients play a key role in delivering your finished product. There are many companies that offer this service. ALS Food and Pharmaceutical and Reading Scientific Services are two examples of companies who are able to provide food and drinks testing services.
2. Nutritional Information
Nutritional information such as fats, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt are important to help with the labelling of your product to inform the consumers. ALS Food and Pharmaceutical and Reading Scientific Services are two examples of companies who are able to provide a range of nutritional tests.
3. Shelf life testing
Shelf life testing allows you to confidently set a use-by date or best-before date. ALS Food and Pharmaceutical, Reading Scientific Services and International Laboratory Services are examples of companies who are able to carry out shelf life testing.
Many of the items on the retail ready checklist are eligible for funding support. Call the Growth Hub on 0844 257 84 50 to discuss your requirements.
4. Barcode
To sell your products you need a barcode which can enable you to uniquely identify your products from manufacture to delivery through to the final point of purchase. Click barcode for more information on how to get started.
5. Attractive packaging and labelling appropriate for a retail environment
Choosing the right packaging can be crucial to getting products safely onto shop shelves and into customers’ shopping bags. You also have to think about storage, transport, the environment and whether it fits in with retail buyers’ requirements. There are many packaging suppliers in the market place. ABC Packaging and Graphic Packaging International are two examples of what suppliers can offer.
For useful guidance click Food Information Regulations
Technical
HACCP system
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) is a system that helps food business operators look at how they handle food and introduces procedures to make sure the food produced is safe to eat. Here are a couple of links to help you put the right process in place. HACCP and Safer Food Better Business
Local Authority, Environmental Health Inspection (Food Safety Act)
The Food Safety Act 1990 provides the framework for all food legislation in Britain. The guidance is for all types of food business in England, Wales and Scotland. Similar legislation applies in Northern Ireland. Here are some useful links to help you understand what you need to put in place. Food Safety Act 1990 Guidance, Food law inspections, Food Safety Act 1990, Hygiene Inspection Checklist, How to prepare for the Environmental Health Officer visit? and Safer Food Better Business.
Any other quality assurance? Salsa, BRC Global Standards, BRC Global Markets Programme
Production and Distribution
Ability to scale your production to supply 28 stores
To increase your production capacity to meet the increase in demand can often be achieved by using existing equipment and resources or by outsourcing. Alternatively, you can consider acquiring new equipment or improving the efficiency of your existing operational process. At the Growth Hub you can have access to FREE professional business advice and potential sources of funding to help you make the right decision.
Ability to deliver to the Booths central distribution centre in Preston
The supplier is responsible for organising delivery of stock to the distribution centre. However, Booths endeavour to assist suppliers in instances where collections at suppliers’ sites and return to depot fit in with their distribution schedule. The transport team would then negotiate collection rates with the suppliers.
Whether you are transporting ambient, refrigerated or frozen food, there are many transport companies that can support your products. Booths are currently using Harrisons Transport. Others such as Food Move and WCF Distribution (Cumbria) are examples of logistic companies who provide similar services.
Ability to deliver product on pallets
Booths encourage suppliers to use Blue Chep pallets as well as red or brown pallets as these are the strongest and safest. Suppliers are expected to enter into a contract hire agreement with the pallet providers. Providers of these pallets often use a pallet pooling system which enables you to arrange a one-way pallets hire. Click CHEP to find out how they can help you move, store and protect your products.
Good quality white pallets are also acceptable but there is no one for one return arrangement for these pallets.
Orders sent using EDI
Electronic Data Interchange is used for over 85% of all electronic business transactions. It has proven to be the best way for you to exchange business documents quickly and securely with any organisation anywhere in the world. Find out more here – Electronic Data Interchange Booths will provide successful suppliers with further information about EDI and the contact details of the provider they are using to help you set up your system.
Sales
A cost that will enable a realistic retail price
Calculating retail profit margin.
Prepared to support the product with tastings
Suppliers are expected to support the launch of a new product with sample products for tasting. The ‘costs’ commitment from a supplier for product tasting is agreed on a case by case basis with Booths.
Prepared to support the product with promotion
Promotions dramatically increase sales volume and therefore suppliers are encouraged to promote by their products. Experience shows that the sales volume increase justifies the support invested to pass on deals to our customers.
Click here for sample webinars on marketing and customer journey.
Promoting your business: Marketing
The value of social proof
Understanding your customer journey
Do you want to get FREE business advice? You may be eligible for subsidy to grow your business. Don’t wait, call us now on 0844 257 84 50 or email eva@cumbriachamber.co.uk. We are here to help you.
Check out the Growth Hub Business Support HERE