How can drinks brands secure listings with major retailers like Ocado, Sainsbury's, and specialty retailers?

Getting major retail listings requires direct contact with the right buyer and understanding what retailers actually want. The community has access to insider knowledge from top industry buyers.

**Direct Contact & Strategy:** - Reach out directly to buyer contacts at target retailers. For Ocado specifically, members are seeking non-alcoholic category buyers within their team; if you have mixer or non-alc products, networking within the community may help identify the right person. - **The Session magazine** (published by a community member) features interviews with major retail and hospitality buyers including John Vine (Waitrose), Dawn Davies (Speciality), Fifi Liddar (C&C), Harald Sydenham (Soho House), Jake Odlum (Dishoom), and Nick Bell (Harvey Nichols). Each answered 10 questions about what brands need to do to win listings—this is a direct resource from the actual decision-makers.

**Key Caveat:** The community discussion doesn't contain detailed tactical advice on pitch strategies, minimum order quantities, pricing expectations, or the listing application process itself. Members appear to rely on direct relationships and insider resources like The Session magazine rather than a standardised approach. Success likely depends on understanding each retailer's specific requirements through direct conversation with their buyers.