Specialty and Gourmet Food Distributors Industry Overview

To market, to market for specialty food distributors

Specialty food distributors are part of the huge specialty food industry. Gourmet food distributors work with approximately 20,000 stores. Gourmet food distribution does not only sell to big chains like Whole Foods but with smaller, specialized shops. Retailers can buy directly from manufacturers or wholesalers, but the specialized food market depends on smaller producers for a lot of merchandise and smaller producers need distributors.

Gourmet food distributors can bundle specialized food items from different food sources and grab a piece of the market through the variety of inventory. Quality products are what consumers look for in their choice of specialty food. Distributors provide quality methods of distribution to ensure freshness and other conditions that are important to the market.

1. Gourmet food wholesalers know that they are selling products to consumers who know a lot about food, just as health food distributors are aware of what their customers expect.

2. Gourmet food distributors know that the industry is known for its "from kitchen to market" culture, which can require different modes of distribution.

3. A specialty and gourmet food distributor's industry overview takes into account the economy, geography, kinds of food and retail values to name a few elements that affect the industry.

 

Get the specialty and gourmet food distributors industry overview

Some specialty food distribution is based on geography. The West Coast sells a lot of Spanish food; areas such as San Francisco have a strong market for organic food distributors. Methods of distribution are another part of the industry, and let's not forget the dynamic effect of the Internet for wholesalers, distributors, retailers and consumers.
Try: Specialty Food Resource is a newsletter that connects all the businesses that operate to bring gourmet food to market. Gourmet Retailer is an industry magazine that tracks markets and companies.

Analyze the market for health food distributors

Health food distributors and organic food wholesalers are almost a separate market from gourmet and specialty foods. The characteristics of the health food market are different.
Try: The Organic Trade Association is a great resource for businesses in the health and organic food markets. Agricultural Marketing Resource Center is another source to get information on health and organic food distribution.

Seek distribution opportunities from gourmet food wholesalers

The gourmet food industry has such variety of products. Some wholesalers have arrangements with restaurants or ship directly from their base. Others will only work through distributors.
Try: Culinaire Foods is a gourmet food supplier that only deals with distributors. It packages specialty frozen foods such as hors d'oeuvres. Eliki Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Greece specializes in olive oils of all kinds.

 

• A specialty and gourmet food distributors industry overview will tell you that the customers for these products are willing to spend more money and will travel to get what they want. Distributors for small producers with good products are profitable because of this customer base.

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