Ask the Collective

What is the best approach to securing and maintaining a retailer listing in the early stages on shelf?

Based on community experience, retailer launches require realistic expectations and proactive relationship management. **Key lessons from member experience:** - **Expect limited buyer responsiveness post-launch.** Members reported that after securing shelf space, communication with buyers can become difficult—one founder couldn't reach their buyer for nearly a year following a Sainsburys launch during lockdown. Buyers tend to have high workloads and slow response times despite the apparent simplicity of maintaining contact. - **Plan for early-stage support independently.** Rather than relying on retailer buyer engagement, members recommend developing your own launch plan to support the brand on shelf during the critical early period. This may include promotional activity, stock management, and point-of-sale support that doesn't depend on retailer responsiveness. - **Consider retailer selection carefully.** Launching in large national chains during volatile periods (e.g., lockdown) can amplify challenges. Timing and retailer choice matter significantly. **Caveats:** The community flagged that retailer buyer relationships are inconsistent and often frustratingly unresponsive even for basic communication. Members should plan contingency support and not assume ongoing collaboration from the retailer during the critical shelf period.