Coles Supermarkets have adopted an online-tool in an effort to source new, innovative, local products.
RANGEme will give small and medium sized businesses a new sales opportunity for their products by giving producers direct access to Coles’ team of buyers.
Coles’ partnership with RANGEme is part of its move to increase its supply of locally-produced food and drink following research which shows that 70 per cent of customers want to buy locally-grown or made food.
Coles Head of Merchandise Support Jon Haggett said the new online initiative was an extension of Coles’ existing sourcing program to source new, innovative local products.
“We are keen to meet potential suppliers face-to-face and try to do that nationally whenever we can. However, this new online tool means that small and medium businesses have an easy and direct way to approach us with their new products,” he said.
The partnership also comes two years after Coles instigated a Meet the Buyer program, whereby Coles team of buyers visit different locations around Australia to meet with local producers who are keen to show off their products. Since the Meet the Buyer program, Coles has signed on more than 140 new local products.
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