FDBusiness.com

Lidl Ireland is set to give a ‘Kickstart’ to a new batch of 48 Irish producers from across the country who successfully earned a place on the retailer’s coveted Kickstart Supplier Development Programme – an initiative that the retailer has invested more than €30 million in supporting over 250 Irish producers to date. Following a competitive Dragon’s Den style pitch process to find this year’s most innovative products, 48 suppliers across 20 different counties were selected as the cream of the crop after an intensive application process which saw producers put through their paces with a business pitch to Lidl’s buying team and a taste test to select the best in category.

Successful producers will now see their artisan offerings on sale on Lidl shelves across its 220 stores across the island of Ireland from September 19^th for a limited time, while stocks last.

From high-quality convenience foods, fish and meat, to beauty, baking, ice cream, condiments and beers – as well as the programme’s first ever pet food item – this year’s assortment will have something for everyone, with a marked focus on unveiling some of Ireland’s best circular economy products to offer more sustainable choice for customers.

Before the products hit the shelves, this six-month development programme offers suppliers dedicated business support from Lidl’s in-house experts, advancing their product, brand and business with practical guidance on how to scale production, drive production efficiency, as well as product development and packaging support, allowing them to optimise on-shelf opportunities in the Autumn and scale for success.

Now in its eighth year, and supported by Bord Bia, this year’s programme saw a record number of applicants from every province in Ireland.

Kate O’Driscoll, Supplier Development Manager at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “Lidl’s Kickstart Supplier Development programme allows us to support Irish producers building their businesses while providing our customers with a great range of new and innovative Irish products. Since 2016, Lidl has invested more than €30 million in growing and supporting small local producers – an investment which has seen huge success over the years with several Kickstart products getting fully listed and now being part of Lidl’s everyday product range. Other products have benefited from the expansive international store network, reaching the shores of the UK, Europe and even the USA over the eight years of the programme.

This year there was phenomenal interest in participating in the Kickstart programme, attending our Pitch Day at Lidl HQ and great excitement for both the producers to show off their products and for my colleagues on the Lidl buying team to collaborate and plan for success.”

This year’s Kickstart intake of quality Irish producers includes a number of innovative sustainable products such as sisters Aisling & Sadhbh Wood’s Bean Around Exfoliating Coffee Bars made from used coffee beans and Hayden Smyth’s Pup Pup Dental Chews, a sustainable insect-based dog treat, and delicious healthy alternatives such Emi Takakura’s Slice of Life Pizza, a frozen high protein pizza with a cauliflower crust made with all-natural ingredients and recyclable packaging.

The Kickstart 2024 suppliers group will offer customers a variety of restaurant-quality food products to try at home such as Sofie Rooney’s Chimac Sauces which introduces Korean and Sriracha flavours to households, Niall Sabongi’s Smoked Haddock Lasagne celebrating the heritage and quality seafood products sourced from the Irish sea and Conor Sweeny’s Dae Bites, delicious brownie and cookie bites which are free from 13 of the 14 top allergens.

More established brands will also be on sale in Lidl this September, with  Rachel Nolan’s dairy-free, vegan ice cream Nobó Frozen Goodness and Aisling Tuck’s Naked Bakes Cookie Dough available for the first time to new and existing customers.

With 112 new products listed for this year’s Kickstart programme, the retailer will add significantly to its annual goods and services procurement spend of €1.6 billion in Ireland. Since its launch in 2016, Lidl has invested €30 million in supporting over 250 Irish businesses through the Kickstart programme. Many Kickstart suppliers have also benefitted from having their products exported across Lidl’s international network of stores.

Commenting on the partnership, Fiona Twomey, Global Retail Specialist at Bord Bia, said: “Bord Bia is proud to support the Lidl Kickstart programme. We recognise the opportunity a global retailer like Lidl presents to Irish food and drink companies to get their products on shelf in Lidl stores around the world, while the Kickstart programme itself offers a multitude of business development learnings. On behalf of Bord Bia, I wish each of the participants every success on the first phase of this programme.”

Lidl’s Kickstart Supplier Development Programme is just one of the many ways in which the retailer supports the Irish agri-food industry.

Kildare-based cooked meats producer, O’Brien Fine Foods, secured a colossal €60 million contract with Lidl in late 2023 which has facilitated them exporting to Lidl stores across mainland Europe including Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Romania and Slovenia. Meanwhile, Bantry-based Keohane’s fresh and frozen Irish seafood reaches the shores of Great Britain, Germany, Cyprus, Italy and even the USA.

Longford baker Panelto Foods recently secured a €22 million supply deal with the retailer whilst Abbey Farm Foods in Laois signed a €1.5 million contract and Ultrapure Laboratories in Mayo was awarded a €1 million contract for an exclusive supply deal of the retailer’s first own-brand skincare range.

A recent Supplier Impact Report commissioned by the retailer found that, in 2023, Lidl procured €1.1 billion worth of goods from Irish food and drink suppliers. Of this, €800 million stayed within Lidl Ireland’s operations to be sold through its local store network and more than €300 million was exported internationally through Lidl’s expansive network of stores showcasing the best of Irish produce on the global stage. Lidl continues to give Irish producers unrivalled access to local and international markets supporting the growth and success of Irish produce worldwide.