Fresh deals with two leading US distributors will fast track Forbidden Food’s Blue Dinosaur product range into US retail stores.

Forbidden Foods (ASX:FFF) has significantly bolstered its presence in the US market after signing up two new distribution partners and entering a number of new retail outlets.

The company signed distribution deals with Gourmet Merchants International and McLane Company – both of which are expected to accelerate the momentum for FFF’s leading Blue Dinosaur product range into retail outlets in the US.

GMI is a leading distributor that has strong relationships with gourmet, natural and independent grocery markets, focusing on retailers in San Diego to Santa Barbara in California.

The company has strong and longstanding relationships with established names such as Bristol Farms, Whole Foods Markets and Gelson’s Markets, as well as a total of 200 independent and small chain accounts.

Meanwhile, McLane Company is one of America’s largest distributors and is wholly owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway.

McLane services a range of convenience stores, mass merchants and chain restaurants, and is a partner to some of the US’ biggest retail and restaurant businesses.

With headquarters in Temple, Texas, the company has more than 80 distribution centres across the country, marketing the world’s largest and most sought after brands to nearly every zip code in the US.

Forbidden Foods’ CEO Marcus Brown says two new deals were signed after FFF continues to witness very strong retailer interest for the Blue Dinosaur product range across the US.

“Our in-store footprint is continuing to grow and we expect the engagement with two new distributors will fast track sales growth,” Brown said.

“Both of the company’s two new distribution partners have exceptional relationships with key retailers, and have already delivered a number of new distribution points with grocery chains and independent retail groups.”

New retail ranging opportunities

Forbidden Foods has also captured new retail ranging opportunities for Blue Dinosaur after entering a number of new traditional retail outlets in the US.

Most recently, the company secured ranging in Gelson’s Markets, a regional supermarket chain operating in Southern California.

In addition, Blue Dinosaur is also now being stocked in 19 stores by upscale grocery chain Bristol Farms and Lazy Acres, both also in California.

“While recent ranging agreements are very promising, we are continuing to work alongside a number of major US retail groups on product submissions,” said Brown.

Those ranging deals follow another deal with Central Market, part of HEB group and Kum & Go, one of the US’ largest convenience and gas station chains, operating 400 stores in 13 states.

Forbidden Foods is also in progressed discussions around stocking agreements with a number of major US retail outlets, including Walmart, Erewhon, Meijer, Kroger and Publix amongst others.

“We remain in well-progressed discussions with some of the largest operators in the country, and look forward to providing further updates as these translate to ranging and sales.”

Trade shows to provide more brand recognition

Forbidden Food continues to ramp up its ongoing business development initiatives in the US by attending important trade shows.

One major highlight of this commitment was its recent participation at the 2023 KeHE Holiday Show in Chicago.

The exhibition was held by FFF’s US major distribution partner, KeHE Distribution, one of the largest and most respected pure-play grocery and natural distributors in the country.

The exhibition was very well attended by a number of major US retail groups, as well as independent health outlets.

Forbidden Foods says these exhibitions provide an opportunity to engage with buyers and showcase its product range, as well as provide brand recognition that could potentially translate into distribution point growth across the US in the future.

This article was developed in collaboration with Forbidden Foods, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

 This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

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