Wakefern to Host Sourcing Event for New Store Brand Vendors

In a bid to help it find unique new products, Wakefern Food Corp. will host a sourcing program for potential new store brand suppliers next month. The one-day supplier event, set for May 17 at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, N.J., will pair potential new vendors with respective Wakefern buyers and category managers in private 20-minute meetings.

Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM) will manage inbound product submissions from suppliers and will facilitate all meetings for the Keasbey, N.J.-based retailer-owned co-op, which comprises 50 members who independently own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer and Dearborn Market banners.

The event will focus on sourcing new products and store brand opportunities in the grocery, frozen, dairy, meat, produce, beverage, foodservice, bakery, seafood, deli, nonfoods and HBC categories.

"We continue to grow our existing private label portfolio with innovative and award-winning new brands such as Wholesome Pantry and believe this summit will bring us exciting new opportunities," said Parag Shah, VP of grocery for Wakefern, in a statement.

“We are excited to be working with Wakefern in their quest to enhance their own brand assortment and find the appropriate supplier capabilities to grow sales and enhance value for their shoppers,” said Wayne Bennett, SVP of ECRM. 

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To apply, interested suppliers, companies and manufacturers may submit their product information here through Friday, April 13, 2018.

Selected companies will be subject to a $500 participation fee and notified via email by ECRM of the time, date and location of their meeting with a manager of the Wakefern merchandising team.