Where will you sell your products? There are a lot more options than your local grocery store. For current and potential creators, marketers, and manufacturers of packaged Specialty Food Products the retail trade channels available include:
- Supermarkets and Grocery Stores (Chain and Independent)
- Specialty and Gourmet Stores
- Health Food and Natural Foods Stores
- Club Stores
- Mass Merchandisers
- Drug and Department Stores
- Convenience Stores
- Food service
- Vending
- Military
- Export Markets
- Internet, Mail Order and Catalog
- Niche Gift & Gourmet Stores and Gift Baskets Companies
Each channel offers its own unique opportunities and challenges and will be decided by your target audience. There are many variables, to consider so careful planning and selection is required. It is crucial to think about where your biggest potential lies, and the impact on the other channels while achieving that potential.
For example, if your market is the natural foods industry, find out which ingredients and packaging are allowed into that channel. Generally, products that are acceptable in the natural foods trade are fine for the other trade channels: whenever possible, keep your products ‘clean’ by avoiding preservatives and chemicals. Also, consider the market impact when selecting the order you approach different channels. For instance, if you intend to sell upscale specialty and gourmet stores, you do not want to sell your product into club stores first.