Retail Launch Pad: from food idea to UK shelf
A B2B support programme for food producers, farmers and manufacturers, in the UK and abroad. We help you make your product safe, compliant and ready-to-retail, then launch it in UK retail, starting in Sacoma's own shops.
- Develop
- Comply
- Launch
- Distribute
- Test-sell in our shops
Who it's for. Anyone with a food product or idea that could sell in the UK, and the drive to get it there.
Five stages, one partner
The road from idea to market is rarely straight. It takes know-how, investment, market knowledge and research. We walk it with you, stage by stage.
- DevelopTurn a recipe into a product that can be made consistently, at scale.
- ComplyFood safety, HACCP, labelling, packaging and UK regulation.
- PrepareSpecifications, pricing, pallet set-up and a route to market.
- LaunchTest-sell in Sacoma shops, backed by strategic marketing.
- ScaleWholesale, distribution, import and export.
Practical support at every step
Food know-how, compliance, sustainability messaging and a strong partner network, brought together so your launch turns into long-term success.
From homemade recipe to retail product
We take original recipes through industrial trials, reformulation and lab tests, so the product you sell at volume is as good as the one you make at home.
- Industrial trials, reformulation and lab testing
- Scale to larger batches and higher production volume
- Extend shelf life
- Product specifications
- AI-powered co-creation tools
Retail-readiness checklist
- Quality management system (QMS)
- Custom HACCP plan
- UK labelling requirements
- Packaging design and regulation
- Novel ingredients guidance
- Traceability and food authenticity
- Price points and target demographics
- Consumer research and feasibility
Safe, compliant and ready for buyers
Our team brings food-industry expertise in quality assurance, compliance and traceability across food systems and supply chains. We help you meet the standards UK retailers expect before you reach the shelf.
Want the knowledge in-house? The Sacoma Food School runs courses on product development and UK retail readiness.
A clear route into the UK and EU
Importing into the UK? We guide you on safety standards, regulatory compliance, novel ingredients, labelling, packaging, retail, distribution and bulk-import options. Exporting to UK or EU markets? We guide you through the process.
- Pallet specifications and configuration
- Logistics, storage, warehousing and movement of goods
- Stock management, order fulfilment and delivery
- Supply chain management expertise
Your own space on a real shop floor
Emerging brands can test-sell in Sacoma's retail shops before going wider: a personalised product section, pop-up concepts and experiential retail, backed by food product marketing expertise.
- Personalised product section in our shops
- Pop-ups and experiential retail
- Strategic marketing to drive sales
- Wholesale and distribution once you're proven
See what's already on our shelves: browse the Sacoma shop.
The people who open doors
Join a global community of food supply-chain innovators. Our collaborations focus on food for health and wellbeing, and on sustainable production, packaging, distribution and consumption with a positive impact on climate, health and the environment.
Bring your ideas, insights and disruptive solutions in food processing, packaging, safety, science, decarbonisation and sustainability.
From roadside to retail
We've done this ourselves. Kenyan sweet potatoes went from roadside stalls to export-ready produce, then into student-developed snacks sold in UK retail, winning Best Social Responsibility Initiative at the 2017 World Food Innovation Awards.
You're ready to join if…
Services that work together
The Launch Pad sits within a wider set of Sacoma services. Many members use more than one.
Sacoma Food School
Learn the skills behind a successful launch. Courses take you from recipe to retail product, through UK import rules, to getting packaged food in front of buyers.
View courses →- 1Food Ready for Retail: Product Development
- 2Importing into the UK: Food Ready for Retail
- 3Getting Your Packaged Foods into UK Retail
- 4Intensive Retail Readiness & Market Access
Smart City Food Forum
International forums and trade missions connecting food innovators with cities, investors and buyers.
Discover the forum →Events & showcases
Workshops, showcases and industry events where you can present your product and meet the trade.
See upcoming events →Our initiatives
Sustainable sourcing and community projects, from Kenyan smallholders to the Sacoma Clay Kitchen.
See our impact →Wholesale & retail shop
Health foods, African produce, honey, teas and more, for retail customers and trade buyers.
Shop now →Corporate gifts
Hampers featuring artisan and Launch Pad products, a route to business buyers for new brands.
Explore gifts →Brochure & video
Retail Launch Pad for ethnic food artisans
For food artisans with indigenous knowledge and skills in food processing and preservation.
Open the full brochure →Ready to launch?
Places are limited and every application is reviewed. A completed application does not guarantee a place.
- Complete the short Food Artisan application form.
- Tell us whether you're registered with your Local Authority. If not, we can help you with that.
- We'll review your product and agree the right support with you.
Prefer to talk first?
Emailinfo@sacomahealthfoods.com WhatsApp+44 7764 961489 WhatsApp+44 7305 299396 VisitOur shop and office detailsYou can also send your details by email or WhatsApp to apply.