How do you get products into arena accounts and major retail chains through wholesale distributors?

Getting into arena accounts typically requires going through major wholesale distributors. Members' experience:

**Matthew Clark (MCW)** — The primary route for many arena accounts; note that Bibendum is part of the C&C group, so MCW listings may be necessary. Be aware that the new listings process is notoriously complex and slow (described as "kafkaesque" by members), and contact points may change frequently.

**Majestic** — Members have had success getting replies and pursuing listings directly.

**Harrods** — Responsive to direct approaches; one member successfully leveraged a personal connection (former team member who previously worked there) to get a conversation.

**Key tactic:** Personal connections and referrals can be valuable—mentioning shared history or mutual contacts may improve your chances of getting through to the right person.

**Caveats:** Contacts at major distributors change regularly (one key contact was noted as leaving in January), so expect timelines to shift and relationships to need rebuilding. The process is slow and can feel unresponsive at times.