The search is on for Aldi's next top product
Aldi has launched a search for Scotland’s next top food or drink product, with the winning product being stocked in the supermarket’s 61 stores across the country.
To celebrate Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, the retailer is looking to give a Scottish business their big break by agreeing to list their product for a year.
The competition opens on Monday 29 June and Aldi is looking for new and exciting products suitable to compliment the taste buds of the Scottish palate and have longevity.
Richard Holloway, Managing Director of Aldi in Scotland, said: “Our business model in Scotland has always been about working with the best local producers to bring top quality products to our customers at everyday low prices. We want to help give a local business their big break by offering them access to our knowledge and expertise to help get their product off the ground.”
Scotland Food & Drink Chief Executive James Withers commented: “Aldi’s search for Scotland’s Next Top Product presents a great opportunity for Scottish food and drink producers. In addition to getting onto Aldi shelves themselves, the winner will get great support to build their own capabilities, including working with the retailer’s buyers to make the most of the year’s listing and to focus on elements such as product design. I’d encourage producers to enter this competition; it’s a worthwhile exercise for companies regardless of whether they win.
“Aldi is placing a strong focus on sourcing locally and the resultant relationships with Scottish suppliers are great to see. This approach is invaluable for the continued growth of our sector. The Scottish food and drink industry has been enjoying sales growth year on year and there is good reason for us to be recognised as a Land of Food and Drink as we offer quality products with a strong identity. This hunt for the next best product will be good exposure to new or as yet undiscovered products in the market, although I suspect that the judging panel will have a tough job on their hands identifying just one.”
The winner of Aldi’s next top product competition will be announced on 7 September. Building on Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight, September’s Year of Food and Drink theme is Celebration with a focus on events and products that celebrate provenance and the produce on our doorstep.
Scottish businesses can enter the competition via Scotland Food & Drink’s website by filling out an online entry form www.foodanddrink.scot/aldi.The full list of terms and conditions for the competition are also available on the website. Entries close on Friday 31 July.
The shortlisted businesses will be announced on Friday 7 August and will be asked to present their product to Aldi’s Scottish Buying team who will support the winner through the process of getting their product on the shelf.
The Year of Food and Drink Scotland 2015 celebrates the country’s outstanding natural larder and produce. The Scottish Government initiative is led by VisitScotland, supported by Scotland Food & Drink and Think Local. It is designed to capitalise on the momentum created by the previous Year of Food and Drink in 2010 and Homecoming Scotland 2014.
