How would I approach local supermarket to sell my product

[yummytreats]

I would like to start up a business selling doughnuts. I've had loads of good feedback from people and I really think there is a niche in the market in the type and flavours I make.

Would it be stupid of me to think I could just ask a local supermarket to stock them? If not a local supermarket, how would I go about approaching other local food places and asking them to stock my goods.

Sorry for sounding a bit stupid or naieve - I really have no idea about this. I want to start up in the next few months.

I'm assuming you don't mean a chain, but a locally owned market? Then I'd ring and ask to speak to the owner.

I don't see why not. I was a student at aberystwyth when Rachel's dairy went from corner shops to our local safeway (business was local).

15 years later her products are everywhere!

and Rachels sold out to Nestle years ago.

THe Co-op and Waitrose both use local suppliers into local shops but ONLY once you have a tried and tested product
start with Farmers markets and the like and get your turnover over £100,000 and they might talk to you.

Did they? The dirty little traitor!

I used to love the lemon yoghurt - god I miss the UK, lemon yoghurt, hazlenut yoghurt, toffee yoghurt. I'm not obsessed by yoghurts honestly!

Yes, get in touch with independent local businesses (delis, cafes, coffee shops) to arrange a meeting, take them samples of your doughnuts to try.

Make sure you have all the certificates you need (not my field, but I think the council has to inspect your kitchen before you can sell home baked products?)

Work out your costings so you have a wholesale price you can sell your doughnuts for, so both you and the retailer can make a profit.

We went to the same university Alpine :)

Yep, I'd approach local delis and cafes and independent food stores first. The quantities you can make will be really key I'd imagine

If you need further independent opinions on the quality and content of your doughnuts then please do send some my way. I am fully qualified with all relevant tastebuds ready for action

Firstly I would get in touch with your government dept for food industry. Here in way there is a lot of help for "farmers markets" small food ventures and I'm sure England has the same. I did many a course on sales and there was marvellous proper advice for winning clients. So much free help, questions and assistance and really whether your product has ESP.

From the business I know there has to be a hell of a lot of marketing, professional labeling, food tests, free tastings etc and really what I'm saying is it costs. There have been programmes on recently about how hard it is to break into the main stream markets and dont forget price slash - dont think you can make up a price as I know many tricks of the trade and wonder if you could realistically make much money from it.

How would you supply to demand as they wont let you do it from your own kitchen, they would expect you to do it from a micro clean environment, keep strict records, its a very tough market out there and would recomend you try farmers markets/food markets/events first to get feedback and see whether you can break even.

I can make great cakes but only if I shifted a huge number per day could I make money, but this would mean going commercial hence another overhead. Just be reminded that because the label shows an old lady making cakes and calling it Mrs Ys perfect donuts doesnt mean its handmade - its clever marketing most things made for the supermarkets are made in factories, with specialist machinery and cheap staff.