Following the success of an Auckland event designed to support small grocery suppliers affected by the New World Victoria Park fire, Foodstuffs North Island is holding a similar event in Wellington next week.
The Auckland expo was a completely new idea, created in response to the sudden closure of Victoria Park after a fire caused major damage to the store. For many small and emerging suppliers, the store was a key outlet, and in some cases, their largest.
To help fill that gap, Foodstuffs North Island brought together more than 50 suppliers and over 70 New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square store owners and buyers from across Auckland and beyond.
Held at the Māngere Foodstuffs Support Centre, the event gave suppliers the chance to sample their products and build new ranging opportunities, all in one place and on one day.
“We created the Auckland event out of necessity, but the results showed how effective getting small suppliers and store owners in a room face to face can be,” said Chris Quin, CEO of Foodstuffs North Island. “It made a real difference for those suppliers, and it made sense to offer the same opportunity to small suppliers in the Lower North Island.”
Feedback from the Auckland event was overwhelmingly positive:
• 98% of suppliers who responded to a post-event survey received orders
• 89% rated the event five stars
• 93% felt there was genuine interest in their products
• 85% had meaningful conversations with potential stores
• 82% said store owners and buyers were engaged and helpful
The Wellington event will follow the same format, bringing small suppliers together with local store owners from across the region to save time and make it easier to do business. To date, around 55 suppliers are booked to attend the Wellington event.
“This is about backing local suppliers and giving them the chance to connect directly with the people who make buying decisions,” said Quin. “For our store owners, it’s a great way to uncover fresh ideas and innovation, and for customers, it means more great local products on the shelves.”
The Wellington small supplier expo will be held on Wednesday 30 July at the Conference Centre, The Naumi Hotel
10 Dunlop Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington.
