New online platform for NZ products

New online platform for NZ products

RangeMe GM Carly Shamgar, with Business Development Managers Saatchi Goldwater, Sue Reid and Sara Lochore.
RangeMe GM Carly Shamgar, with Business Development Managers Saatchi Goldwater, Sue Reid and Sara Lochore.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is working with RangeMe, an online platform used by Australian retail buyers to source new products for their stores, to provide New Zealand companies with the opportunity to showcase their products to Australian retailers across multiple categories and channels.

To explain how New Zealand companies can connect with Australian buyers via the platform, NZTE hosted free seminars in Christchurch and Auckland in July, with RangeMe General Manager for Australia, Carly Shamgar. The Auckland event was attended by 25 business people from 20 companies while the seminar in Christchurch attracted 18 businesspeople from 14 companies.

Trevor Millar, Export Manager for Cowells Genuine Pavlova, attended the Christchurch presentation. He said: “We already have some contacts in Australia, but see RangeMe as a way to introduce our products to new buyers for around the same cost as a single visit to the market.”

Established 18 months ago, RangeMe has quickly grown to become a recognised online service for Australian buyers looking to source new products in the grocery, pharmacy, convenience and health food channels. It is used by more than 500 buyers from leading retailers including Coles, Metcash, IGA, Aldi, Costco, Harris Farm Markets, Healthy Life, Chemist Warehouse, Terry White Chemists and City Convenience Stores.

“Australian buyers are looking for product innovation and we know this is something New Zealand companies are well renowned for,” said Shamgar. “We are excited about bringing export-ready New Zealand companies on board and helping them broaden their retail connections in the Australian market.”

Clare Wilson, Regional Director Australia and Pacific, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, says that the Australian market is fiercely competitive and it can be hard for companies new to the market to get in front of buyers. “Retail buyers can be hard to connect with, they want innovative new products but they are often very time poor and typically they get a barrage of new suppliers contacting them every day.

“This is why New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has been looking at alternative ways to help New Zealand companies meet buyers. As part of this, in July, we held seminars to introduce companies to RangeMe – an online platform showcasing companies’ products and providing buyers with information to help them make informed choices.

“RangeMe is one of several options available to companies to help get a foothold in Australia. Companies need to do their own due diligence and assess which platforms are right for them. They also need to be export ready – they need to have considered their pricing, marketing, and distribution.”

Within the RangeMe platform, buyers review products via a dashboard that showcases products relevant to the categories they manage. Buyers can quickly view important information about each product, including pricing, margin, unique selling proposition and even a 90 second video pitch from the supplier. When a buyer is interested in a product, the supplier is automatically sent an email notification, which includes the buyer’s contact details so they can follow up directly.

RangeMe has a special New Zealand introductory offer and promotional programme supported by NZTE, which includes a year-long subscription as well as premium placement options to help boost the exposure of NZ products. For more information visit www.rangeme.com.au.

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