Food and beverage suppliers in the UAE are being given the chance to sell their products in Spinneys as part of a new incubator programme launched by the locally-owned supermarket giant.
Through the programme, which has been launched through the company’s corporate sustainability responsibility initiative ‘Let’s do better together’, micro F&B businesses can list their product at Spinneys for a year, with no start-up fees and generous payment terms.
Selected brands will also receive monthly coaching sessions from Spinneys’ senior management team, as well as marketing support across its digital channels, PR and via in-store sampling. The main eligibility criteria is that the product needs to be produced or manufactured in the UAE and meet a clear consumer need.
“This incubator programme underscores our commitment to support made-in-the-UAE food and beverage companies in an effort to enhance the food security system, but also to help drive job creation and economic growth,” said Tom Harvey, commercial manager at Spinneys.
As the UAE races ahead to triple production of essential foods in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Spinneys says all stakeholders in the F&B industry need to be re-thinking the future of food.
Harvey said: “As an industry, large grocery retailers don’t make it easy for the smaller F&B brands to get listed. There are high account opening fees, the ongoing listing fees, lengthy payment terms, and a cumbersome registration process.
“All of this slows down the supply chain, stifles innovation and ultimately inhibits growth for both the supplier and grocer. Under our CSR initiative – Let’s Do Better Together – we aim to change that.
“Finding and investing in unique brands will help Spinneys build important local supply relationships and differentiate ourselves in an increasingly competitive market,” Harvey added. With growing demand from conscious consumers for supermarkets to provide a broader variety of food products to cater to specific preferences, from natural ingredients to organic and free-from products, Spinneys wants to expand its offering to include more innovative products that promote sustainable, healthy eating.
Suppliers interested in participating will have to submit a short presentation via the Spinneys website detailing the product or concept, the business plan and the people behind the business. The incubator panel, represented by senior Spinneys executives, will review and shortlist potential businesses and invite those accepted to pitch virtually and answer questions in a ‘Dragon’s Den’-style format. Nominations must be submitted by June 30.
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