The challenge of getting your products on shelves at retailer is no small feat. Issues such as cultural differences can make it difficult to get started and stand out on the shelf. However, with an understanding of the Dutch consumer, you can go in the right direction to determine the best way to position your product. Through research, experience and transparency within the company, manufacturers have a chance at success when selling abroad. Therefore, being open to learning from different cultures and adapting to them is key in this process. Dealing with these differences can help manufacturers appeal to European consumers and achieve an international market.
Did you know that the average cooking time in the Netherlands is only 18 minutes? That's right, the Dutch are the masters of quick and easy meals. So, if you're marketing a food product in the Netherlands, you better make sure it's easy to prepare. Otherwise, your product might get overlooked in favor of something that can be thrown together in no time. That's why Sarah's company might struggle in the Netherlands, where lengthy cooking times, complicated recipes, and exotic ingredients just won't cut it.
Dutch customers are more loyal with their majority grocery shopping that they use no more than two stores. On the other end, 23 percent of Germans, Poles, and Russians customers shop at four or more grocers. That is why the loyalty programme such as personal promotional product is one of the most important marketing tool for the Dutch retailers.
According to Mckinsey, the rise of discounters has intensified price competition. Retailers used to match discounters on price and quality across a limited assortment (800 to 1,000 SKUs). But in recent years, discounters have expanded the competitive set to 2,000 to 2,500 SKUs, so full-line grocers now often have to match pricing on more than 50 percent of sales.
If you're looking to sell your food products to retailers in the Netherlands, think about what sets you apart.
1. A short cooking time, easy-to-follow recipes
2. Think about additional values such as natural ingredients or high nutrition value.
3. Make sure your packaging is on point - a great design can go a long way.
4. Set realistic pricing for your products based on market conditions in the Netherlands
5. Offer a range of products to suit different budgets. A retailer label is also an option.
6. Clear communication is everything when it comes to reaching Dutch consumers, so make sure your labels and promotions are easy to understand.
7. Understand the digital system of the Netherlands, such as EDI system.
8. Research trends in the Netherlands and identify which product categories have the highest demand
With some strategic thinking, you'll have those food retailers snapping up your products in no time! For the price bench marking of European retailer, visit the digital platforms such as Cimri.com (Turkey), Supermarktcheck.de (Germany), and Soysuper.com (Spain) provide the ability to compare prices.
Comments