Gourmet Partners Boosts Export Opportunities for UK Producers

The sales and marketing company took The Bay Tree Food Company, Stag Bakeries, Kent & Fraser and Peter’s Yard to ISM in Cologne.

Stephen Hodgetts of Gourmet Partners said, “In order to obtain exposure and profile in an international market it is vital to exhibit at key trade shows. It is the ideal place to showcase a brand to international buyers and distributors and to obtain interest and listings. From our experience we realise that it is very expensive for a smaller producer to undertake a trade show in their own right so we put together a concept whereby Gourmet Partners would collaboratively promote carefully selected brands at ISM. This meant that the speciality producer had a good presence at the show but at a fraction of the price it would have cost them to exhibit themselves.

“We created a stand that was modern and eye-catching and as a consequence had an immense amount of interest in each of the four brands from major overseas store groups and key distributors. We knew that each brand had enormous export potential and this has provided a fantastic base for them to build their international business.”

Wendy Wilson-Bett of Peter’s Yard said, “Year on year Peter’s Yard crispbread sales are 80% up and we are spoilt for choice in terms of further opportunities for expansion. As a growing business we believe it is essential not to spread resources too thinly across too many priorities. Working with Gourmet Partners has allowed us to enter export markets in a controlled and focussed way with a professional and experienced team and without it detracting from the important work we are doing to build the brand here in the UK.”

Gourmet Partners will be taking the stand-share idea to Sial 2014, ISM 2015 and Gulfood 2015. If you would like to be involved, contact stephen@gourmetpartners.co.uk