How to contact TESCO, ASDA, Sainsbury in order to sell products in their store?

[Pragmatic_man]

Hi,

I am in the process of setting up a niche product line in UK.
I understand the offshore market very well and I plan to source them at a cheaper price and sell them through ASDA, TESCO and Sainburys'.

I am struggling to find the relevant contact details ( phone and email) from their website and I have not been able to find anything useful through Google search.

May I request you to share contact details of their procurement/Product management team from these Grocery chain?

thanks,
Alex

 

[Thomas Tracey]

Its very hard to get into these places or contact the relevant people. I found this website very useful http://www.jigsaw.com/ It allows you four free contacts and you can search by company/name of indivdual and job title. so if you just type asda/sainsbury etc in then you can view the hiegher archy i.e buyers and use your free points to gain their email and phone number. Its how i achieved to contact the buyer of toys r us.
hope that helps
Thomas Tracey

 

[Frankus]

This is your first post on this forum and without any introduction or greeting you expect this sort of information?

If there is any mamber of this forum who has reliable and useful contact details for the places you mention, do you seriously think they are just going to give them up to you?

To have that sort of cantact is, for a prospective supplier, absolute gold. They will have have searched and searched and probably sweated blood to prove to those buyers that they are trustworthy, reliable people/companies who can and have justified their involvement by evidence of their ability to supply the quantities and quality of product these chains demand.

You're going to have to go some to get someone to simply give this sort of information up to you.

I'm sure others on here will agree with me...

 

[Business1Solutions]

I have the email addresses for the CEO's of the stores stated. PM me

 

[Frankus]

This is your first post on this forum and without any introduction or greeting you expect this sort of information?

If there is any mamber of this forum who has reliable and useful contact details for the places you mention, do you seriously think they are just going to give them up to you?

To have that sort of cantact is, for a prospective supplier, absolute gold. They will have have searched and searched and probably sweated blood to prove to those buyers that they are trustworthy, reliable people/companies who can and have justified their involvement by evidence of their ability to supply the quantities and quality of product these chains demand.

You're going to have to go some to get someone to simply give this sort of information up to you.

I'm sure others on here will agree with me...

BLIMEY!!! I take it all back.

 

[Urban Publications]

Is it the CEO's you need to be contacting though. its the stores buyers.

A little tip to help, and this is from the mouth of one of the marketing gurus of Tesco.

All branch managers of Tesco's are given some room to take new products in their store and take out advertising in the local areas etc etc and if they feel the product is worthy of being on Tesco's shelf they will contact HO for you and get you in touch with the right person.
So it might be worth approaching store managers and ask them questions about how you acheive this. Go for a nice soft approach to these people do not try and HARD sell or pester them in business hours. They will shut the door in your face

Like mentioned this is from a tescos marketing expert I do not know if all supermarkets are like this

 

[stoneygate trading]

hay,
forget this guy!
the way i think about it is the reasons for these forums is to get help from fellow businessmen/women and build contacts.

I only have little information but you are welcome to it.

for ASDA - buyer - ms fiona lambert tel: 0113 2419833 (not direct)

TESCO - marketing director - mr ian cook
retail and logistics director - mr david potts

this is all i have, i hope it is of some use

jay singh

 

[Bri]

I agree with Frankus, bit OTT. And handing out email addresses here of personnel not really very professional.That could get us a slap from Tesco & Asda.

 

[Pragmatic_man]

Thanks to those constructively replied to email.

For all others, I think we are getting lost in debating why we are all here in this forum?

The focus is to do business, help fellow entrepreneurs and not worry about contacts.

If you dont want to help it's fine but please stop abusing and negatively influencing other people being successful.

Please do remember that if everything starts being narrow minded as you are, there would not be any of us doing business. There is always someone who has been nice and kind enough to help you out if you atall do any meaningful business.


If I come accross anyone who needs help excluding a direct competitor I would genuinley and openly help them out in this forum.

Good luck....

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Jay,

well done - you have just subscribed those contacts to a bombardment of calls and emaill.

As for the Ada buyer, you do not identify what she does - they have about 40+ buyers!!

The other two - not much to do with the daily buying process!

As for the OP, have you tried calling the head office and asking? You might be surprised by the answer!

 

[popunder]

The problem with showing this to someone like Tesco is with a few phone calls they can have something very similar rolling off a production line in China and selling in-store for £1.99.

 

[Frankus]

The problem with showing this to someone like Tesco is with a few phone calls they can have something very similar rolling off a production line in China and selling in-store for £1.99.

You know what it is he's selling?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Popunder, if all suppliers lived with this fear, no new products would appear!

 

[popunder]

If you read any of the books about how the big supermarkets operate, you'll know this happens all the time - someone develops a product that is accepted and sells well, next minute there's an own-brand version of it on the same shelf at half the price, next minute they decide to stop selling the original, and that's that.

I'm not saying it will happen (and might be far less likely with a non-food product) but the OP needs to protect himself, and maybe other retailers are the way to go rather than the all-powerful supermarkets.

 

[Frankus]

If a small company or individual manages to get into a large multiple or supermarket, it's great news...for a while.

Yes there is a chance that the store will make (or arrange for) their own brand. There are other pitfalls, however. Someone will see the product and utilise their skills and resources to provide the same product for less and in greater quantities. Alternatively, if the store loves the product, doesn't want to create a copy and no-one else pitches in with their own, you end up getting loads of orders. Great until the store starts screwing you down on price (guaranteed!) and forces you to provide more and more, faster and faster. Suddenly you are in a position of over-trading, unable to get loans from the bank to manufacture, and under you go.

No problem to the store, because they then just go out and get someone else to make it.

Be very very careful when you try to get into the big boys...

 

[The Fixer]

This is very easy. On their website you have the head office number. Call them and ask for the name of the buyer responsible for whatever product category yours is. They will tell you. I've been supplying all the major supermarkets for 25 years and have never had any problem, and in fact I've been ringing around this week to update my database. Only the buyers will be of interest to you at this stage, nobody esle

 

[Shnuggle]

This is very easy. On their website you have the head office number. Call them and ask for the name of the buyer responsible for whatever product category yours is. They will tell you. I've been supplying all the major supermarkets for 25 years and have never had any problem, and in fact I've been ringing around this week to update my database. Only the buyers will be of interest to you at this stage, nobody esle

Hi Fixer,
You clearly have a lot of experience in this, and I am doing just what you said, phoning around...

But could you advise if there is a somewhere that I may have missed for my product (PadStand)? I have gone to:-

Argos,
Dixons (DSG)
Tesco
Asda
Sainsbury's
Carphone Warehouse
Phones4u

Cannot get contact for:-

Play.com
Amazon.co.uk

Any help or pointers welcome!
Thanks

 

[Thomas Tracey]

try some of the gadget shops online etc, also pc world.

 

[The Fixer]

Amazon is easy - on Amazon.co.uk there is a "Sell on Amazon" function. You pay them a monthly fee and they will list your product. Might be worth trying Comet, Curry's, PC World, Staples also

 

[stoneygate trading]

as i said i only had little info.. and if it helps then good for alex if not he has lost nothing

 

[Bri]

Thanks to those constructively replied to email.

For all others, I think we are getting lost in debating why we are all here in this forum?

Nothing at all to do with being lost, debate and the exchange of ideas is why we're here in the first place.This is a business forum not a BNI meeting.(there are other networking groups available)

The focus is to do business, help fellow entrepreneurs and not worry about contacts.

Wrong, the focus and constitution of the forum is to advise, exchange ideas and yes I do agree with helping 'fellow' entreprenuers. I would be sorely peed off with my telephone and email details are broadcast over a public forum and then be bombarded with unsolicited calls and mail.Example, a close colleague of mine, a member on this forum sent a PM in reply to another members request, the receiver took umbrage at this and reported it as spamming.What you have done is far worse.

If you dont want to help it's fine but please stop abusing and negatively influencing other people being successful.

How are we doing this, by being business like????Where are the signs of abuse????Something wrong with your syntax here too......negatively influencing?????

Please do remember that if everything starts being narrow minded as you are, there would not be any of us doing business. There is always someone who has been nice and kind enough to help you out if you atall do any meaningful business.

Those same people can help to stop you making a prat of yourself too.


If I come accross anyone who needs help excluding a direct competitor I would genuinley and openly help them out in this forum.

Ha, the line has been drawn,hoist by your own petard.....

The focus is to do business, help fellow entrepreneurs and not worry about contacts.

Good luck....

We do try and help, throwing a bunch of names randomly into a pot is not really helping as there is a protocol & procedure to follow in making contact with these folk.

 

[davideva]

Supermarkets are a great source of business however be carefull. Quite often they will issue forecasts rather than firm orders, if the product doesnt sell you'll end up stuck with the stock, added to that they will probably expect you to help fund a sale on their surpless stock.

 

[avakash]

Hi i am avakash patel and i export the all spices and more varieties and its also in reasonable rate.so pls give me reply then i will give u a more information about the all varieties....thanks

 

[H2O RAjec]

My name is Michal Pekny from H2O Distribution Ltd based in England. I am here to find some buyers contact. I would like to sell a new product from Slovakia called Rajec. This product is well know as spring water with added herbal extract. We have wild range such as Thyme, Sweet Balm, Rose Hip, Dandelion, Birch, Daisy, Sage, Chestnut and Linden. Do you thing you can help me as well?
Many thanks
Kind Regards
Michal Pekny

 

[UmarBarber]

I have the email addresses for the CEO's of the stores stated. PM me
Hi are you willing to give these to anyone looking for them?

 

[GlobalReach]

Hi Michal

Hope you are well. Been browsing for something else when i came across your post.

I'm looking for buyer for plastic bottle closures. I was wondering whether we can have discuss some business with you if you are looking for a bottle closures. Good quality at a competitive price and reliable manufacturing source.

Best regards
D.

 

[ahinze]

I'm looking for contacts in major retailers to pitch my new product. Can anyone send me details please or tell me where to get them?

Thank you kindly.

Best Regards,

Adele

 

[DavidAshdown]

Some very harsh comments on here.

The poor guy (OP) was only asking a simple question and maybe being new in business he doesn't realise how difficult some things can be. I agree, people do not want to give away details of precious contacts or spout off names of people wrecklessly but there are more tactful ways of putting this to him.

I'm sure in time he will realise that business is a hard slog and you cant just develop a business overnight through a lsiting of who's who in the retail world you need to fight for it but its sites like these that are aimed at trying to help people in some way, whether novice or expert.

 

[DavidAshdown]

I'm looking for contacts in major retailers to pitch my new product. Can anyone send me details please or tell me where to get them?

Thank you kindly.

Best Regards,

Adele

What is the product ?

 

[Sparx]

This thread is over 2 years old.

 

[DavidAshdown]

This thread is over 2 years old.

Indeed it is, but suddenly appeared in the 'todays post' section. Is that a problem ?

 

[aweuk]

Hi All
Have been breaking my head like how to contact buyers at HO of retailers like Tesco, Sainsburys. I have worked in Demand Planning in the past and i used to work with category buying assistants and buyers but now getting through the door looks like impossible unless you know the buyers/assistants.
Have to keep trying...

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Hi All
Have been breaking my head like how to contact buyers at HO of retailers like Tesco, Sainsburys. I have worked in Demand Planning in the past and i used to work with category buying assistants and buyers but now getting through the door looks like impossible unless you know the buyers/assistants.
Have to keep trying...

Maybe you can help the OP he has been on the phone to them for the last 12 years

 

[aweuk]

Hi Jeremy
Sorry cant understand what OP is?

 

[matlob]

OP = Original Poster - the person who asked the first question in the thread

 

[Mark T Jones]

Hi All
Have been breaking my head like how to contact buyers at HO of retailers like Tesco, Sainsburys. I have worked in Demand Planning in the past and i used to work with category buying assistants and buyers but now getting through the door looks like impossible unless you know the buyers/assistants.
Have to keep trying...

What are you actually trying to achieve?

It's pretty easy go find names and contact details in most cases- I randomly typed in a few department/ supermarkets and got results

They also arrange periodic 'meet the buyer' days

 

[aweuk]

Hi Mark
Im working on a consumer product, first kind of , have reliable manufacturers but getting to supermarket buyers seems to be the challenge. Some suggest through Linkedin but not sure if this will work as i have tried this for another niche luxury product but never had any response to the emails sent to potential buyers or buying teams. 'Meet the buyer' events is interesting, will explore. thanks for the suggestion.

 

[aweuk]

Have tried exploring Meet the Buyer, yes events take place but is there any way to get in touch with the buying teams at supermarkets anyone?

 

[Mark T Jones]

Have tried exploring Meet the Buyer, yes events take place but is there any way to get in touch with the buying teams at supermarkets anyone?

From your response, your challenge isn't getting in touch, but getting them to respond?

I'm guessing there are consultants who specialise in thus - at a cost

There are also wholesalers who you could work with

 

[aweuk]

There are food distributors but they would take a chunk as margin but yes can try that route as well. Retail Consultants , can search online and on Linkedin to see how they can help.