Initiative offers local micro food suppliers fast-track onto supermarket shelves
Locally-owned supermarket Spinneys has announced a second edition of its (UAE) Local Business Incubator programme for 2021.
Following the success of the inaugural 2020 programme, which surpassed Spinneys’ and participants’ expectations, the Local Business Incubator returns with new benefits designed to further boost the growth of UAE-born fast moving consumer goods suppliers.
As part of Spinneys’ drive for a more sustainable future, the initiative aims to fast-track supermarket listings for innovative F&B businesses in a bid to support local food production and stimulate economic growth in the sector.
In its first year, Spinneys launched 14 new brands with a further 6 currently in development phase. As a result, Spinneys stores have released 100 new product lines and created 50 new jobs amongst the winners of the 2020 businesses.
Total sales value from incubator brands alone reached over AED 3mn (US$ 820,000). The initiative has also been praised by the UAE government’s Food and Water Security office for its contribution to The National Food Security Strategy.
“The Spinneys incubator represents a pioneering step in enabling entrepreneurs operating in the sector to develop their companies in order to serve the directions and goals of the National Food Security Strategy,” remarked HE Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of State for Food and Water Security.
“We began this programme at the peak of the coronavirus crisis and were amazed by the sheer number of entries and variety of innovative ideas celebrating sustainable produce, healthy and organic alternatives or entirely new food concepts,” commented Tom Harvey, Commercial Manager, Spinneys.
