Nutritional Growth Solutions just signed a key distribution deal in US

Nutritional Growth Solutions has increased the pace of its US rollout through a deal with the country’s largest natural products wholesale distributor.

Paediatric nutritional products provider Nutritional Growth Solutions (ASX:NGS) has signed a distribution agreement with the largest natural products wholesale distributor in the US, United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI).

The deal will see NGS’ entire 22 product Healthy Heights® range, including the recently launched KidzProtein and KidzProtein vegan lines, available for wholesale via UNFI’s marketplace platform or select physical distribution centres to its network.

Founded in 1976, UNFI is the largest publicly traded wholesale distributor in the US, supplying natural products to ~30k natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains and ecommerce retailers.

Among companies UNFI supplies is Whole Foods, The Fresh Market, Jerry’s Foods, Superior Grocers and Vallarta Supermarkets.

The deal is set to substantially expand NGS’ retail and online presence across the US.

US growth strategy quickens pace

NGS CEO and Managing Director, Liron Fendell said the execution of its retail strategy in the US is gathering speed, with the UNFI distribution agreement another key milestone that will pave the way to increased rollout in a broader range of stores.

NGS’ patented nutritional products have been developed over 20 years by physicians at the world-renowned Schneider Children’s Medical Centre. The products have been clinically proven to support growth development in children.

“Being stocked in well-known natural product stores, independent retailers and conventional supermarket chains across the US means Healthy Heights® will be on shelves where parents are looking for nutritional products for their children,” she said.

“It puts our products into the consideration stage of purchase of in-store shoppers – something that has not been possible until now.

“Increasing our product range to include retail friendly canisters and relaunching our all-round multivitamin shake KidzProtein allows us to appeal to more in-store shoppers.

“It also positions NGS for future growth across the retail sector – ensuring more children have access to products that are clinically proven to support healthy growth development.”

Well-positioned for US growth

NGS already has its Healthy Heights® product range stocked on US supermarket giant Kroger’s e-commerce channel Kroger.com along with Walmart’s ecommerce platform.

It has also seen demand for its toddler formula in the US increase since the start of a critical infant formula shortage in February.

NGS opened a production facility in New Zealand in May to meet its burgeoning China and Asia Pacific market.

While all of the dairy for its formula products comes from New Zealand, products for the US market are produced locally in its Utah production facility.

This article was developed in collaboration with Nutritional Growth Solutions, 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.