Unitas offers free stock for retailers in new product trialling initiative

Unitas Wholesale has announced the launch of a new product trialling programme, offering free stock to its retailers.

The ‘Brand Box’ initiative, part of the group’s Plan for Profit scheme, will enable retailers to range NPD risk-free in their stores, the group said.

The first Brand Box campaign, which begins at the end of October, allows 1,000 retailers to trial products from leading brands including Maltesers, Pot Noodle, Red Bull and Sharp’s Doom Bar.

Unitas said each Brand Box campaign will include products selected in partnership with suppliers, either the latest NPDs or products that are part of the ‘Plan for Profit’ core range.

The campaigns will be underpinned by Picture Portal technology to enable participating brands to see how Brand Box has helped in getting its product merchandised on the shelves of independent retailers.

John Kinney, sales and marketing director Unitas Wholesale, said the new initiative will help retailers maximise sales from new product launches and help their suppliers reach the consumer in a timely and effective manner.

“We’ve developed a platform that reduces the risk for the independent retailer to support NPD at the earliest opportunity allowing them to compete locally, we have developed this initiative in partnership with our suppliers in such a way that provides an effective and efficient route to market,” he said.