Welsh food and drink producers will next week (October 2) embark on a new trainingprogramme aimed at getting their products onto supermarket shelves.
The ‘Winnng New Business’ programme has been developed under the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘Going For Growth’ programme which helps producers meet the needs of major retailers.
As consumer demand for local and regionally produced food continues to grow, so do the opportunities for smaller producers to break into the supermarket supplier arena.
Said Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, “The amount of Welsh produce featured on supermarket shelves is increasing all the time. However in such a competitive marketplace producers need to be able to meet the requirements of major retailers and the Welsh Assembly Government is committed to helping them achieve their goals through training and support.”
Over the next six months eleven producers from across Wales will take part in a series of workshops and one-to-one business counselling sessions.
The ‘Winning New Business’ programme is supported by all the major supermarkets, who will participate in the various stages.
The first workshop takes place next Tuesday (October 2) hosted by Morrisons at its store at the International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay.
The programme works with the companies on areas including: what the retail buyer is looking for, identifying opportunities with retailers, how to tailor products/develop new products, how to physically get products to market, how to build long-term/sustainable relationships with supermarkets, and understanding consumer motivation.
The programme, designed by Levercliff, on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government will culminate with a presentation by the participating producers to their targeted retailer.
MORE DETAILS: Sheila Coleman 01792 817532 / 07968 357474
Email: sheila@colemanroberts.co.uk
