Whole Foods Market is searching for innovative brands to expand its retail offerings.
- The Supplier Pitching Event will occur on 7 November at its head office.
- Local and emerging brands are prioritised, with adherence to quality standards.
- Successful applications will be ready to launch in stores by January 2024.
- Jade Hoai emphasizes the importance of innovation, diversity, and inclusion.
Whole Foods Market has launched a new initiative to discover and promote innovative and mission-driven suppliers. The upcoming ‘Supplier Pitching Event’ is scheduled for 7 November at the company’s head office. This event aims to identify standout names in food, drink, body care, and lifestyle categories.
The focus of the event is on local, emerging brands and early-stage innovators. Whole Foods prioritises suppliers who are ready to adhere to the company’s quality standards and launch in stores by January 2024, ensuring that these products align with the retailer’s commitment to quality and uniqueness.
Whole Foods Market’s UK director of purchasing and operations, Jade Hoai, has expressed a strong commitment to nurturing independent and emerging startups. Hoai stated, “At Whole Foods Market, we are passionate about nurturing independent and up-and-coming startups in the industry and creating more access to retail for these inspiring, emerging brands. This in turn helps us deliver against our promise to provide a unique offering to our customers centred around innovation and quality.”
The focus on mission-driven brands highlights Whole Foods’ dedication to products that make a discernible difference in diversity and inclusion, health, or sustainability. Applications for the event opened on 1 October, and successful brands will be notified in the week starting 21 October, allowing ample preparation time.
This initiative from Whole Foods comes at a time when other major retailers like Waitrose, Co-op, Iceland, and Tesco are also seeking to bring new FMCG brands to the market through their innovation programs, such as the ‘BrandsNew’ programme.
The Supplier Pitching Event represents a strategic move by Whole Foods to enhance its retail offerings with diverse and innovative products.
