nir-vana innovation network

A UK company sources high quality confectionery and artisan food products from around the world to create a range of gifting packages aimed at the young adult (16 - 30) demographic. The product range includes vegetarian and vegan options, which are very popular with the target market, and products include gummy sweets, boiled sweets, chocolate bars, chocolate drinks, artisan biscuits and gingerbread kits. The gift packages, which include boxes, sachets, tins and bottles are all designed by the company's in-house design team, with an emphasis on the packages being sustainable and reusable. Also, as the designs are not contracted out, the team can be instantly reactive to trends in packaging styles, colours, textures and motifs, enabling gifting packages to be current with a very short lead time. The company's experienced buying team are also able to identify new trends in sweets and flavours, enabling the product to stay relevant to it's market.
The company's route to market has three tiers:

Trade - working with the buying teams of supermarkets, department stores, clothing chains and outlet stores, the company will design gifting ranges bespoke to that particular customer.

Wholesale - the company's wholesale outlet supplies goods to various retailers, both independents and chains on an international basis. The wholesale supply offers a full range of confectionery gifts, from small token gifts to large presents, and alongside its mainstay lines will provide a seasonal offering, e.g. Easter, Christmas and Halloween.

Retail - the company has its own physical retail outlet selling direct to the public.

Already selling internationally, the company is looking to enhance its international foot print by appointing experienced confectionery distributors in Europe and the USA

Advantages & innovations

There are a number of advantages and benefits to the company's offering. The confectionery range includes vegetarian and vegan products, an increasingly popular requirement as people look to eat more responsibly and in an environmentally friendly way. Vegetarian and vegan products are also increasingly demanded by the company's target audience of 16 - 30 year olds. The in-house design team can react very quickly to market trends, including style, colour texture and motif, ensuring the product and packaging are current and reflect what is in demand by the market. client base. The materials used in the packaging are sustainable and reusable, ensuring a greener footprint fo the company and it's

Stage of development

Already on the market

Partner sought

The company would like to enter into distribution services agreements with companies experienced in the confectionery sector in Europe and the USA. Ideally the distributors will have connections with the supermarket, department store and chainstore sectors in their territory. Connections with multiple indepndant stores would also be helpful.